ran 4th, pushed along and no impression before last, ridden and kept on into 3rd run-in
made all, slow 1st, 3 lengths lead halfway, pushed along to assert after last, stayed on well
ran 3rd, slight mistake 2nd, dropped to rear and no extra approaching 2 out, eased, tailed off
held up in rear, progress in 3rd approaching straight and 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along after 3 out and 3rd before next, under pressure and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins has won the last two of these and Felix Yonger looks certain to make a bold bid to complete the hat trick and his own five timer. He was conceding Mallowney 8lb when beating him a nose in the Grade 2 Hilly Way at Cork in December and should again take care of the latter on these terms. ROAD TO RICHES is as low as 7/1 for the Betfair at Haydock later in the month and this looks an ideal stepping stone. He had Mallowney almost four lengths behind off levels at Fairyhouse in April but improved dramatically subsequently and counted the Galway Plate and two Grade 1s to his credit before a brilliant run behind Coneygree in the Gold Cup. The once top class First Lieutenant has lost his way and Bright New Dawn doesn t have the credentials for this.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, 5th at 4th, closed and not fluent 4 out, disputed 4th 3 out, improved to challenge on outer straight, close 2nd from 2 out, edged right and stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Baily Green (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Road To Riches (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led, headed after 6th, regained lead 8th, strongly pressed from 4 out, ridden and disputed before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd after 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 13 1/2l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Mallowney (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, soon in rear, closed 7th, slightly impeded 4 out, 2nd 3 out, challenged straight, no impression from 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Soon close up, slightly impeded and unseated rider 3rd, at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Prominent, disputed lead from 5th, led from 10th, ridden and strongly pressed after 4 out, headed entering straight, soon no impression, 8th of 19, dist behind Gallant Oscar (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp sft in May.
