took keen hold early tracking leaders, 3rd 4f out, ridden 3f out, no impression in moderate 3rd from 2f out
tracked leaders, 4th 4f out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened straight
led, ridden and headed entering straight, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out without threatening winner
in touch in 5th, ridden and no impression from 4f out
prominent, improved to lead on inner entering straight, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure from 1 1/2f out
held up in touch in last, ridden and no impression from 4f out
Willie Mullins won the first running of this last year and can follow suit with PEKING TO PARIS, who is out of a winning hurdler from a very good family. He may not have things his own way however as Gordon Elliott's recruit from the point-to-point field, Deadliest Catch, would have made a winning debut but for falling at the last and won impressively at Tinahely three weeks ago. Ablator is by Oscar out of a winning bumper so is one to note in the betting and Starkie has shown promise in both starts and is no forlorn hope.
Ablator (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Ace Ciel.
Deadliest Catch (IRE) 1-2 (12-0) Ww, b mstk in 4th 3out, went on 2out, b mstk last, ko, won at Tinahely 3m ire ptp gs in Jan beating Bubbles Classic (11-4) by 5l, 11 ran.
Peking To Paris (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Castlehaven.
Uptick Rule (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 9, 38l behind Primroseandblue (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m N H flat sft in Dec.
Starkie 11-2 (11-4) Settled in rear of mid-division, good headway on inner entering straight to go 4th over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Venture Capital (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec.
C'est La Mode (IRE) Presenting mare out of Katieella.
