tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 2nd, ridden entering straight and no extra after 2 out, dropped to 8th before last and eased run-in
always rear, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra when slight mistake last
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, 5th halfway, progress to go 2nd before 2 out, ridden to challenge last, led run-in and kept on under pressure
settled in rear of mid-division, progress into 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace in 4th run-in
held up in rear, close up in 8th 2 out, not clear run between final 2, went 4th last and stayed on well run-in
held up in rear of mid-division, ridden in 7th early straight and no extra approaching last
tracked leader and 3rd halfway, ridden 2 out and no impression in 6th before last, no extra run-in
led, challenged approaching last and headed run-in, kept on under pressure but no impression on winner final 50 yards
settled in mid-division, ridden in 6th approaching 2 out and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
ran freely, tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden entering straight and soon dropped to rear, eased
There's a tremendous roll of honour in this race with Jezki successful a year ago and Willie Mullins winning three of the previous four, including with Hurricane Fly. Last year's successful handler Jessica Harrington runs both Gambling Girl, an impressive Grade 3 winner at Down Royal last time, and Mr Fiftyone, a dual bumper winner who was just touched off by Mullins' Diakali at Naas. The champion trainer has three entries and though Ruby has chosen Alonso he may not be value in this very competitive event. He made his debut for the yard over 2m4f at Wexford where he was left clear at the last by the fatal fall of Aircraftman. He probably would have won anyway and is obviously a nice prospect but so are stablemates Arctic Fire, who makes a quick reappearance after slipping up at Gowran last weekend, and Renneti, a very impressive winner at Downpatrick last month. Minella Foru and Very Wood fought a thrilling battle at Navan with the former just having the call while The Tullow Tank has been supplemented at a huge cost after beating the much-touted Turnandgo at Naas. GILT SHADOW has to concede weight to the four-year-olds but was so impressive when beating Rock The World at Down Royal that this year's Punchestown Champion Bumper runner-up is given the vote to land a fascinating renewal.
Gilt Shadow (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Mid-division early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 4 out, led before next, pushed out from last to assert, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl in Nov beating Rock The World (11-4) by 9l, 15 ran.
Somethingwonderful (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Raced in 2nd, not fluent 5th and 6th, slight mistake 5 out, almost on terms 3 out, challenged going well before 2 out where not as fluent as winner, soon no impression, dropped to 3rd from last, no extra, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Alelchi Inois (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft in Nov.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden 2 out, switched before last, ran on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl in Nov beating Turnandgo (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Alonso (SPA) 4-7fav (11-7) Mid-division on inner, headway into 3rd 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, pushed along to lead before last, in command when left well clear last, eased run-in, very easily, won at Wexford 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl in Oct beating Oscar's Passion (10-2) by 23l, 9 ran.
Arctic Fire (GER) 4-5fav (11-9) Held up, closer in 5th approaching straight, just behind leaders when clipped heels and slipped up after 2 out, in a race won by Ange Balafre (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl in Nov, 10 ran.
Minella Foru (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd at a steady pace, pushed along to challenge last, ridden to lead run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov beating Very Wood (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Mr Fiftyone (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, mainly 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden into 2nd on inner last and pressed leader, switched after last, kept on same pace run-in, no impression winner, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Diakali (11-10) at Naas 2m hdl Grade 3 (1) in Nov.
Renneti (FR) 2-9fav (11-9) won at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gs in Oct beating Sue And Isi (10-11) by 13l, 8 ran.
Very Wood (FR) 4-5fav (10-12) Led at a steady pace, jumped right, mistake 2nd and slight mistake 5th, pushed along and challenged last, headed run-in and no impression closing stages, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Minella Foru (10-12) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Gambling Girl (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders and 5th halfway, headway 3 out and led next, stretched clear approaching last where bad mistake, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m mrs nov hdl G3 (1) in Nov beating Roja Dove (10-11) by 8l, 10 ran.
