held up in mid-division, dropped towards rear and pushed along 4 out, ridden and no impression next
chased leaders in 2nd, ridden and no extra entering straight, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in mid-division, progress into 5th before 4 out, improved in 3rd entering straight, ridden after 2 out, disputed approaching last, led after last, kept on well run-in
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, no extra entering straight and weakened, tailed off
chased leaders and ran freely, 5th halfway, mistake 4th and lost place, towards rear 4 out, ridden and no extra next, weakened and pulled up before last
held up towards rear, progress into 6th entering straight, ridden in 5th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
led, 5-lengths clear halfway, ridden and reduced advantage after 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in, pressed for 3rd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd entering straight, ridden no extra 2 out, stayed on to dispute approaching last, 2nd and kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, progress into 6th 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on run-in, just held for 3rd
Willie Mullins saddles a quartet here and can take the prize with BLEU BERRY. He only scrambled home from Outspoken when completing a double in a Naas Listed event last month but the runner-up is well regarded and Ruby Walsh picks him over the stable's other entries including Chateau Conti, a dual bumper winner who made a successful hurdling debut before running very well in a Leopardstown Grade 1. Brelade finished in front of him in that latter event and has since performed with credit in the Neptune at Cheltenham while Avenir D'une Vie made a very promising debut over timber here in November and could be anything.
Art Of Security (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Mick Jazz (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 9-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd early, on terms 4 out, soon led, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Aussie Reigns (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bleu Berry (FR) 5-2jfav (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd and not fluent next, 5th halfway, travelled well in 3rd 2 out and progress to challenge when slight mistake last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead on line, won at Naas 2m lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Outspoken (11-6) by shd, 8 ran.
Brelade 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, 4th and one pace when ridden before last, no impression after, lost place flat, 6th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Chateau Conti (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Soon raced in 2nd, on terms from 3 out, not fluent next, soon headed, no extra approaching last, 6th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Bacardys (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f (1) sft in Feb.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Chased leaders and ran freely early, led and disputed from 2nd, slight mistake 4th, asserted before last, not extended, won at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Mar beating King's War (11-12) by 12l, 13 ran.
Montalbano 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, 2nd after 5th where mistake, impeded and left in lead 6th, weakened straight, 5th of 6, 35l behind Let's Dance (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) gd in Jan.
Outspoken (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, progress to challenge 2 out and ridden to lead before last, under pressure and kept on run-in, headed on line, 2nd of 8, shd behind Bleu Berry (11-6) at Naas 2m lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Riven Light (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression before last where slight mistake, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Bleu Berry (11-6) at Naas 2m lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
