settled behind leaders, closer in 3rd halfway, improved to dispute after 6th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd entering straight, ridden after 2 out, no impression on leader before last, stayed on well to press leader run-in, held close home
led, joined and disputed from 2nd, led entering straight, asserted before last, ridden run-in and strongly pressed, all out close home
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 6th, weakened 4 out, pulled up
held up, 6th halfway, rear from 7th, no impression before 3 out, weakened
chased leader, disputed and slight mistake 2nd, slight mistake 5th, slight mistake 6th and dropped to 3rd, 4th from 5 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, some progress into moderate 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
Gordon Elliott has three entries and holds a strong hand as both BALL D'ARC and Tell Us More have done exceptionally well over fences. The former has to be the selection after three facile victories, the latter two in Grade 3 company, though his stable companion has also won at that level and was in the lead in a Grade 2 at Navan just over a year ago when falling two out. He has the beating of The Game Changer on his victory at Naas in November but there are plenty of other dangers including Nearly Nama'd, whose victory over Minella Foru here in November now looks an outstanding effort. Ballycasey beat the useful Clarcam in a Gowran Grade 2 in February, his second victory at that level on the same track, so he's an obvious threat and he holds Devils Bride on the first of those victories.
Flemenstar (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led, headed before 6 out, disputed again next, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra in 4th 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 23l behind Top Gamble (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Mar.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 2-1jfav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress in 2nd approaching 2 out, led last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Gangster (11-2) by 15l, 4 ran.
Ballycasey (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) Prominent on outer, on terms 4th, headed from 6th, soon 3rd, slight mistake 9th, 2nd after 4 out, pushed along 3 out, jumped slightly right 2 out, challenged from before last, led run-in and stayed on best to quickly assert, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb beating Clarcam (11-6) by 4 1/4l, 4 ran.
The Game Changer (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Always behind, weakened 3 out, eased flat, tailed off, 21st of 24, dist behind Rock The World (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Devils Bride (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, weakening when blundered next, 9th of 14, dist behind Fox Norton (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Led, headed after 5th, 3rd before 5 out, closer 3 out, disputed before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind A Toi Phil (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
Realt Mor (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Soon in rear, slight mistake 2nd, mistake 4 out, no extra from next and pulled up before 2 out, at Wexford 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Tell Us More (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Not that fluent in rear, behind 5th, some headway before last, no impression, soon weakened, 21st of 25, dist behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
