soon led narrowly, a little keen, headed at 2nd, soon 4th, 3rd after 3rd, 4th at 4th, improved to 2nd after 4 out, dropped to 3rd before 2 out, ridden into 2nd last, kept on, held
towards rear, not fluent in rear 4 out, 5th after 4 out, improved to 4th 2 out, no impression before last
rear, progress to 4th after 4 out, closed in 2nd before 2 out, led narrowly after 2 out, increased advantage before last where not fluent, ridden and kept on well run-in
close up, 4th after 3rd, took closer order in 3rd at 4th, headway to lead 4 out, not fluent 2 out and headed, dropped to 3rd last, kept on one pace closing stages
tracked leader, disputed after 2nd, headed 4 out, soon dropped to rear and under pressure, no extra in 5th before last
pushed along to track leader early, led narrowly at 2nd, soon joined, headed 4 out, soon 3rd, dropped to 5th 2 out where not fluent, weakened before last where slight mistake
Willie Mullins will have had plenty of options for this and goes with GIBRALTAR, who looked one to follow when making a successful hurdling debut at Roscommon last summer. He has much more potential than Cayd Boy, who has been chasing but ran in tough handicaps over hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown at this time a year ago. Zoffanien was also in good form at this time last year but has been well beaten in recent starts while Advanced Virgo has changed stables though would have to be considered at his best. Whosgotyanow won a couple of minor events last summer but was well beaten when stepped up in class at Listowel in September while Pearl Of The West has been out of form.
Gibraltar (IRE) 5-6fav (11-9) Prominent, soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, progress travelling well to dispute 3 out, soon led, clear before last, kept on well, easily, won at Roscommon 1m 7f mdn gd in Jun beating Red Ball Of Fire (11-2) by 9 1/2l, 17 ran.
Whosgotyanow (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, 4th 4 out, no extra early straight, weakened, 6th of 9, 32 1/2l behind French Made (11-9) at Listowel 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Advanced Virgo (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 3rd and under pressure over 3f out, lost place and weakened under 2f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Golden Twilight (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Cayd Boy (FR) 2-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer before 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Blue Lord (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Zoffanien (IRE) 40-1 (12-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear after 3 out, detached next, no extra and eased run-in, last of 9, dist behind My Immortal (11-2) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Pearl Of The West (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Hampered start, soon in touch in rear, ridden before 3 out, gradually faded from 2 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Socialist Agenda (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
