made all, slight mistake 5th, travelling well 2 out, slight mistake at last and briefly pushed along, stayed on well, easily
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden before 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd from 2 out
held up in touch in last, ridden in last and still in touch on outer before 2 out, no impression
Gordon Elliott has won two of the last three renewals and the Irish handicapper cannot split PIED PIPER (NAP) and stablemate Fil Dor. But with the former having the benefit of a recent run at Cheltenham under his belt, he may be capable of taking bragging rights today. That said, the latter has gone well fresh in the past and was to make a winning start to his career here last year. Gaelic Arc has a little to prove at the weights and did not help his cause at Limerick by racing very freely. David Garrick has been kept busy on the Flat but neither he or Bonarc have done enough to suggest that they are up to this standard.
Pied Piper 5-6fav (11-8) Keen and prominent until steadied after 1st, held up in touch, challenged 2 out, led last, quickened flat, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct beating Knight Salute (11-8) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
David Garrick (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Zola Sakura (10-0) at Naas 1m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Gaelic Arc (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Led, mistake 6th, 6 lengths clear halfway, extended lead before next, slight mistake 8th, reduced advantage approaching straight, pushed along and headed before 2 out, 4th 2 out, no extra, 4th of 6, 27l behind Plains Indian (11-2) at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Oct.
Bonarc (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden towards rear after 2 out, soon no impression, last of 10, 20 1/2l behind Well Funded (10-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Fil Dor (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear with 1 rival, 3 lengths advantage halfway, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on easy winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Vauban (11-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
