rear, 10th after 6th, good headway on outer before 2 out where not fluent, no extra in 5th before last where not fluent
towards rear, 8th after 6th, progress after 10th, no impression in 4th last, no extra
mid-division, progress after 2nd, 3rd after 6th, 2nd after 10th, 3rd 3 out, under pressure in 4th after 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, no extra run-in
soon tracked leader, dropped to 6th after 6th, not fluent 2 out, no extra before last where mistake
rear of mid-division, mistake at 3rd, 9th after 6th, headway after 10th, no impression 2 out where mistake, pulled up before last
towards rear, 7th after 6th, headway after 10th, improved to 2nd 3 out, on terms 2 out, headed before last, kept on in clear 2nd run-in, no impression on winner
soon close up, 2nd after 3rd, led at 10th, stumbled after 4 out, pecked 3 out, joined 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in
soon led, not fluent at 5th, mistake at 7th, headed and bad mistake at 10th, soon lost place, in rear 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, 4th after 6th, 3rd after 10th, slight mistake in 4th 4 out, under pressure in 3rd after 2 out, lost place and weakened quickly before last where fell
rear of mid-division, progress to 5th after 6th, mistake at 8th and rider lost irons, dropped to rear and pulled up before 10th
A high-quality renewal with Willie Mullins saddling five. Paul Townend has chosen Gaillard Du Mesnil, a dual Grade 1 winning hurdler and placed in all five starts over fences including the Irish National here. Gordon Elliott also holds a strong hand with Mighty Potter and Three Stripe Life. The pair fought out the finish of the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last December with the latter having gone on to win at that level at Aintree and the former the Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown. Both made impressive debuts over fences with preference just for Jack Kennedy’s mount. BANBRIDGE jumped superbly to land a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month and will be even better suited by today's longer trip so gets the nod in what should be a cracking race.
Adamantly Chosen (IRE) 5-6fav (11-1) Disputed and bad mistake 1st, soon tracked leaders, close up again after 2nd, led and disputed from 4th, led halfway, ridden and pressed 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct beating Visionarian (11-8) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Authorized Art (FR) 5-6fav (11-5) Made all, increased advantage after 2nd, reduced lead after 3rd, ridden before last, left clear run-in, kept on strongly, eased close home, won at Tipperary 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Oct beating Ash Tree Meadow (11-5) by 9l, 5 ran.
Banbridge (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Jumped well, led until after 2nd, mostly chased leader until led again before 2 out, going clear when left further clear at the last, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Tommy's Oscar (11-4) by 6l, 6 ran.
El Barra (FR) 7-4 (11-0) In touch, a little keen, 3rd after 6th, improved to 2nd 3 out, challenged leader 2 out where mistake, led narrowly last, driven out run-in, held on, won at Cork 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Idas Boy (11-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Enniskerry (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Soon chased leader, close up 2nd halfway, headway to lead before 3 out, pushed out and soon clear, easily, won at Roscommon 2m (1) gd in Sep beating Midnight Run (11-1) by 4 3/4l, 7 ran.
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 11-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd on inner entering straight, briefly short of room before 2 out where slight mistake, ridden and no impression before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 27, 7l behind Lord Lariat (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Mighty Potter (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Made all, mistake at 1st, slight mistake 9th, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and briefly pressed 2 out, edged right under hands and heels inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Mars Harper (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Shadow Rider (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Rear, towards rear after 1st, 4th after 6th, not fluent at 8th and 9th, bad mistake 3 out, lost place and pulled up, at Cork 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 4th at 2nd where not fluent, 3rd at 7th, 4th before 10th, slight mistake 4 out, headway after 3 out, improved to lead narrowly 2 out, kept on best inside final furlong, won at Galway 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Churchstonewarrior (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Three Stripe Life (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Soon led, headed after 3rd, 2nd before 6th, closed 2 out where left in clear lead, kept on well, eased closing stages, won at Naas 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Unexpected Depth (11-12) by 12l, 12 ran.
Visionarian (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up early, closer in 3rd from 6th, left 2nd 6 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, disputed 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Adamantly Chosen (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
