held up, soon towards rear, moderate 5th after 4th, slightly slow jump 7th, not fluent 9th, soon pulled up
led, soon clear, reduced lead from 6th, pressed 3 out, just headed when left clear 2 out, stayed on well
soon raced in moderate 5th, moderate 6th after 4th, some headway but no impression from before 4 out, left 2nd from 2 out and no danger to winner
soon raced in moderate 4th, no impression from before 4 out, left 3rd and kept on same pace from 2 out
soon raced in 3rd, closed and slight mistake 12th, challenged 3 out, marginal lead when fell next
in rear, some headway but no impression from before 4 out, left distant 4th from 2 out
chased leader, closed up 6th, slight mistake 9th, not fluent 11th, soon lost position, no extra and pulled up before 3 out
Coney Island is two from two around here, winning a Grade 1 over course and distance last season. He looked set for another good campaign when making a winning reappearance at Ascot in December but didn’t fare as well on a return visit, pulling up on the final circuit after a shuddering error. His jumping will be put to the test today as UN DE SCEAUX normally takes no prisoners, though Paul Townend will be keen to keep something in reserve today as his mount had nothing more to give when Balko Des Flos breezed past in last month’s Ryanair at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins should have a good line on Doctor Phoenix as he was beaten by another Mullins’ runner, Great Field, in this grade at Navan last month but A Toi Phil can’t be ignored, despite a below-par run last time at Gowran when behind Ballycasey, and UK raider Kylemore Lough has the ability to return home with some place money.
Coney Island (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Not fluent, held up in last pair, dropped to last at 5th, mistake 8th, blundered and pulled up 10th, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Raced enthusiastically, tracked leaders, challenged 5th, led next, clear 8th until 4 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Balko Des Flos (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
A Toi Phil (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Held up, closer in 4th 6 out, ridden into 3rd 3 out, no impression next and slight mistake, no extra before last, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 5, 18l behind Our Duke (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
Ballycasey (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Led and disputed early, 3rd from 4th, wide and dropped to rear 7th, closer again 5 out, pushed along in rear 4 out, ridden and under pressure entering straight, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Our Duke (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 11-8jfav (11-8) Held up in rear, jumped right at 3rd, moderate 4th 3 out, went moderate 2nd and pushed along after 2 out, ridden and progress run-in, not trouble winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Great Field (11-12) at Navan 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Fine Rightly (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 10th, headway before 3 out, in 3rd from last, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 22l behind The Dutchman (10-6) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Kylemore Lough 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Casse Tete (10-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Champagne West (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led after 1st, joined 6th, mistake and headed 8th, pushed along and lost place before 5 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
