prominent on inner, 3rd after 8th, 4th 3 out, effort after 2 out, improved to 2nd last where mistake, dropped to 3rd and no extra run-in
close up, mistake at 1st and dropped to rear of mid-division, not fluent at 2nd, 4th after 8th, not fluent in 5th 3 out, stayed on to 3rd last, soon 2nd, kept on well, no chance with winner
rear of mid-division, 5th after 8th, took closer order 4 out, closed in 3rd 3 out, improved to lead 2 out, asserted before last, ran on well, easily
soon disputed lead, led after 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, headed before 3 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, lost place and weakened before last where mistake
soon disputed lead, headed after 3rd, not fluent in 2nd at 5th, not fluent 4 out, led narrowly before 3 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 4th last, weakened run-in
rear, 8th after 8th, no impression before last, kept on run-in, never on terms
towards rear, progress before 8th, 6th after 8th, mistake at 9th, no impression in 7th 2 out, weakened before last where slow jump
soon mid-division, mistake at 4th, lost place before 8th, 7th after 8th, dropped to rear and under pressure after 9th, mistake 4 out and detached, pulled up before 3 out
FLANKING MANEUVER made mistakes in a Grade 3 at Naas but his debut run over fences when a close third in a Navan Grade 2 would see him difficult to beat. Winning hurdler Genois has had six starts over fences and hasn't done as well as expected but So Des Flos is quickly sent over the bigger obstacles after just four starts over timber including a maiden victory at Limerick. Verdant Place will love the conditions having completed a Punchestown double over timber earlier this year while La Malmason made a winning hurdling debut on heavy ground at Cork last November.
Carrig Rock (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, went 3rd at 7th, improved to dispute lead after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, moderate 2nd and no impression on winner when mistake at last, soon no extra in 4th, 6th of 10, 17l behind Landrake (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Digby (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 2nd, slight mistake 6th, pushed along and headed after 3 out, soon ridden and 3rd before next, no impression when slight mistake last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Tullybeg (11-0) at Down Royal 3m Good - Yielding in Sep.
Flanking Maneuver (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute 2nd 4 out, mistake next, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no impression before last, went right and mistake last, soon no extra, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Journey With Me (11-0) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Genois (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent in 5th at 7th, slight mistake at 10th, took closer order before 4 out, closed in 2nd 2 out, strongly challenged leader last where mistake, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Power Of Pause (11-12) at Listowel 2m 6f Yielding - Soft in Sep.
So Des Flos (FR) 9-4 (11-12) In touch, progress in 2nd at 8th where not fluent, took closer order after 4 out, led narrowly before 2 out, driven out and asserted closing stages, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn sft in Mar beating Castle Field Boy (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Verdant Place (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden into 6th 2 out, no extra before last, 10th of 25, 20 1/4l behind Kilbeg King (10-10) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
La Malmason (IRE) 5-1 (11-13) Mid-division, ridden in 17th 3 out, weakened, 19th of 25, 32 3/4l behind Ballybawn Belter (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Merrion Gate (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chsd ldr, 1l 2nd 1/2way, mstk 5out & wknd aftr, bhnd in 8th when eased & pu well bef 3out, at Rathcannon 3m mdn sft in Apr.
