mid-division, mistake at 1st, ridden in 7th after 3 out, 6th at last, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, bumped at 1st, headway into 3rd and ridden 3 out, 4th next, no impression
in rear, mistake 4th, closer in 7th 3 out, ridden in 3rd on outer next, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in
disputed lead early, mistake at 1st, led from 2nd and made rest, mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, strongly pressed next, stayed on well under pressure run-in, all out close home
tracked leaders, 2nd at halfway, ridden 3 out, dropped to 6th and no impression when fell 2 out
always behind, mistake 3rd, trailing at 6th, no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders on outer, bumped at 1st, headway into 2nd travelling well after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run-in to strongly press winner to line
in rear, short of room and mistake at 1st, closer in 6th and ridden 3 out, soon no impression
disputed lead, slipped on bend after 1st, headed 2nd, soon tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden in 4th 3 out, dropped to 9th when hampered 2 out, no impression
in rear, mistake at 4th, rear of mid-division at 5th, ridden in 9th before 3 out, no impression
GEVREY is turned out relatively quickly after prevailing in a grandstand finish at Limerick and it looks significant that connections shun the use of a conditional rider and stick with Davy Russell off his welter-burden. The Greek won well at Perth as he managed to keep his head when hampered as others made mistakes. Gladiatorial has been kept busy in recent months so fitness will not be an issue while Alice Avril was jumping to her right around Cheltenham so shouldn’t experience too many issues around this circuit. Razzle Dazzle Love has exhibited promise on a softer surface and is one to bear in mind at longer odds while Espion Du Chenet won this last year.
Gevrey (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, 7th halfway, 4th after 3 out, pushed along in 4th when left 3rd next, soon challenged and led last, ridden and stayed on well, pressed close home, held on, won at Limerick 2m 3f hcp sft in Oct beating Optional Mix (10-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 40-1 (11-3) In rear, soon detached, progress after 4th, 10th after 6th, progress to 7th after 4 out, no impression in 6th 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Fan De Blues (11-12) at Cork 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Bythesametoken (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear, soon detached, not fluent at 3rd, 8th after 6th, progress to 4th after 7th, dropped to 7th 4 out where bad mistake and rider briefly lost iron, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Now Where Or When (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st and 2nd, mistake 8th, reminder after 6 out, ridden in rear after 4 out, 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression in 2nd before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Gevrey (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Apr.
Downthecellar (IRE) 12-1 (12-4) Led, mistake at 1st and rider lost iron briefly, a little keen, joined at 3rd, led before 4th, not fluent at 5th and headed, closed 2 out, dropped to 4th and weakened before last, 6th of 16, 17l behind Hey Johnny (12-4) at Clonmel 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Wingin A Prayer (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders early, soon settled mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Mar.
The Greek (IRE) 10-3 (12-2) Chased leaders, slightly hampered and left in lead 5th, slowed before hampered by loose horse after 8th, headed before next, led 11th, well clear 2 out, hit last, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Wye Aye (12-0) by 27l, 4 ran.
Alice Avril (FR) 11-4 (10-11) Led, jumped right at times, headed before 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 4, 14 1/2l behind The Glancing Queen (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Gladiatorial (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Prominent, led with a circuit to go, ridden and challenged before last, kept on, headed towards finish and no extra, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Corrigeen Rock (11-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Hollybank King (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 4 out, slight mistake next, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, 4th when bumped last, weakened run-in, 10th of 13, dist behind Golden Ferret (11-0) at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Razzle Dazzle Love (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Led, slow 2nd and briefly headed, headed 6th, slight mistake 7th and slow 8th, pushed along and no impression in 3rd before 4 out, no extra in straight, 4th of 8, 27 1/2l behind Western Zara (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Elegant Lass (IRE) 18-1 (12-0) Led, slight mistake 6th and soon headed, led again 4 out, just headed when fell 2 out, at Sligo 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
