soon raced in 2nd, pushed along before straight, dropped to last from before 2 out, soon no extra
led, slight mistake 3 out, headed from next, soon no extra
soon raced in 3rd, 2nd early straight, led from 2 out, stayed on well to assert run-in
in rear, pushed along straight, 4th before 2 out, soon no impression, kept on
soon chased leaders in 4th, jumped slightly left at 5th, pushed along into straight, improved under pressure to challenge on inner and almost on terms 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from last
Willie Mullins had eight of the original 18 entries and relies on Perfect Gentleman. He's won a bumper and a maiden hurdle and probably would have won at Thurles last time but for a last flight mistake and the ground shouldn't prove a problem. Rubi Light is a Grade 1 winning chaser reverting to hurdles for the first time in almost four years. He's in the Grand National and this should be a nice warm-up. The Westerner Boy is also a chaser and has a very long absence to overcome but INDIAN FILE is progressing at a rate of knots and galloped his rivals into the ground at Limerick in December. These are better opponents but he's taken to complete the double. Our Katie has been well beaten since landing a Thurles maiden in November while Late Night Deed's victory over the course and distance in May was on very fast ground.
Rubi Light (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, moderate 5th at 4th, closer order 6 out, no extra from before 2 out, 6th of 7, 48l behind Benefficient (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Indian File (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Made all, slight mistake 5 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating The Mighty Milan (11-12) by 17l, 18 ran.
Perfect Gentleman (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Led, joined 7th and headed next, ridden and headed by winner before 2 out, rallied and every chance when mistake last and pecked, not recover and kept on one pace,, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Gallant Tipp (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl in Nov.
The Westener Boy (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Mid-division on outer when fell 7th, in a race won by Jadanli (10-7) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs hvy in Jan '13, 18 ran.
Our Katie (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 4th halfway, pushed along entering straight and no impression in 6th after 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 11l behind Off The Charts (10-11) at Thurles 2m 6f Handicap Hurdle (80-123) (4yo+) in Jan.
Late Night Deed 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, dropped off leaders 4th, moderate 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression before next, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 20l behind Cailin Annamh (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mrs nov hdl gf in Aug.