chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden after 3 out, no extra in 4th next, weakened before last
held up in rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden before 3 out where slight mistake, soon no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, challenged before 3 out, disputed 3 out, led before next, ridden before last, strongly pressed run-in, disputed close home, just prevailed at line
held up, 5th halfway, ridden before 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, no impression in moderate 4th last, kept on one pace to go 3rd run-in
chased leaders, mistake 5th, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, stayed on into 2nd before last, kept on well run-in to press leader, disputed close home, just denied at line
led, pressed before 3 out, slight mistake 3 out and joined, ridden and headed before next, no extra in 3rd before last, weakened run-in
BONBON AU MIEL was having his first start since landing a three-year-old hurdle in France when just caught by Hidden Cyclone over 2m2f on this sort of ground at Leopardstown earlier this month and Willie Mullins' charge looks a smart prospect so can go one better. Gurteen, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, won a maiden hurdle at Navan last January and has competed at a high level subsequently including over fences which is where his future lies. Oiche Mhaith Boy was in superb form on the Flat and over timber on very heavy going early last year and ended with a cracking run in a tough handicap on this track in November though that was over 2m4f. Flaxen Flare looked a fine prospect when placed in very tough handicaps in 2013/14. He beat the useful Plinth at Galway in September 2014 and reappeared with a facile victory over fences the following May but hasn't run since. Lilshane looked a certain future winner after a couple of narrow defeats last month but made too many mistakes when well supported at Navan on Sunday but Head Turner, who will enjoy the conditions, could go well with her allowance.
Gurteen (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, 11th at 4th, closed 8th, chased leaders when jumped right 3 out and slightly impeded, soon no extra, one pace, 3rd of 12, 21 1/4l behind Automated (10-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Oiche Mhaith Boy (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Soon mid-division, slight mistake 5th, 7th from 6th, slight mistake 4 out, disputed 5th 2 out, 4th and slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 12, nk behind Emcon (10-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Bonbon Au Miel (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress entering straight, ridden to challenge before last, led last, kept on run-in, headed last 100 yards and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hvy in Mar.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 4-11fav (11-12) A little keen early, tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, closer in 3rd at 8th, 2nd at 9th, challenged 3 out travelling smoothly, led before 2 out, soon asserted, steadied before last where jumped left, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f Good - Yielding in May beating Six Senses (11-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Lilshane (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute entering straight, ridden 2 out, soon under pressure in 4th, no extra and slight mistake last, 8th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Sanibel Island (10-13) at Navan 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Head Turner (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, improved into 6th before straight, moderate 4th approaching last, one pace, 4th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Who's That (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp sft in Feb.
