held up in 5th, closed to track leaders from 4 out, pushed along 3 out in a dispute of 2nd, soon no impression in 3rd, no extra from after 2 out
led and clear, reduced lead after 3rd, went on again 5th where slight mistake, headed approaching straight, soon lost place and no extra
soon raced in 3rd, some slight mistakes, ridden 4 out where dropped to 5th, soon eased and behind, pulled up early straight
soon raced in moderate 4th, closed from 4 out, under pressure in 5th before straight, soon no extra and eased, pulled up before 2 out
held up and behind in rear, pushed along briefly 4th, closer order from 4 out, 4th approaching straight, disputed 2nd 3 out, soon clear 2nd, no impression and one pace from 2 out
chased leader in 2nd, led approaching straight, soon pushed along, clear from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
Winning point-to-pointer and bumper Pulled Mussel made a successful debut over hurdles over the track and trip before finding Grade 2 company much too hot at Navan. Ange D'Or Javilex also made a winning start over timber then finished third behind two very smart performers at Gowran. VELOCITY BOY loves testing ground as he showed with a very comprehensive victory at Limerick a week ago so conditions will be in his favour. He looked capable of stepping up in grade and can make a successful transition into novice company. The Herds Garden made a successful hurdling debut at Fairyhouse but hasn't done as well on softer ground subsequently. Valyssa Monterg's only defeat came when sent over 2m6f though she wasn't as impressive as expected when landing the odds at Tramore while her stablemate Bosman Rule takes a dramatic drop in trip after disappointing over much further.
Pulled Mussel (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd briefly before straight, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no impression, last of 5, 26l behind No More Heroes (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
Velocity Boy (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Took keen hold early, chased leader, not fluent 3rd, closed and led before next, soon clear, not fluent 5th, slightly reduced lead before 2 out but still travelling smoothly, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Enumerater (11-12) by 12l, 15 ran.
Valyssa Monterg (FR) 1-2fav (11-7) Prominent, soon 2nd, challenged 2 out and slight mistake, pushed along to gain narrow lead last, ridden out run-in, stayed on well, won at Tramore 2m mdn hdl in Dec beating Mystic Lass (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ange D'Or Javilex (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders from 2 out, kept on without threatening in moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Douvan (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl hvy in Nov.
The Herds Garden 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace to go 4th close home, 4th of 13, 8l behind Shemshal (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Bosman Rule (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led and disputed lead, not fluent 1st and 2nd, led before 8th, not fluent 4 out and headed next, no impression in 3rd after 2 out, left moderate 2nd at last, 2nd of 4, 32l behind Kauto Grand Mogol (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl 0-123 hvy in Dec.
