always towards rear, ridden and no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 2nd, 3rd at next, pushed along before 4 out, soon no impression, 5th and left moderate 4th 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 8th, went 2nd 4 out, disputed lead travelling well entering straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed after last, kept on same pace run-in
held up in rear, headway into 4th and left 3rd 3 out, pushed along in 3rd 2 out, went 2nd before last, ridden to lead after last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
led, slight mistake 6th, ridden and joined entering straight, headed before 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 3rd, pushed along in 3rd when bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out
It's difficult to know what to make of Chateau Conti, a dual bumper winner in France before a successful hurling debut at Cork. He took on much better company later and though disappointing there should be much more to come this season. Polar Present has some very smart form to her credit and was only just run out of it by Monksland at Thurles but if THE STORYTELLER is ready after a break he will take the world of beating. Not seen since beating the useful Battleford easily at Thurles in January, he looks likely to be challenging for honours this campaign on that kind of form. Gordon Elliott also runs Fire In His Eyes, who beat smart opposition in his first two starts last season but didn't take to fences in his last run in April. Cherif De L'isle scored over timber in France last October but could have been found an easier opportunity on his debut for Sue Bramall and Caliption has plenty to do.
Cherif De L'Isle (FR) (10-7) won at Nantes 2m 1f sft in Oct beating Capitoul (10-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Fire In His Eyes (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes 2nd and 3rd, reminder 4th, dropped to 6th from 6th, not fluent 7th, slight mistake 10th, slightly hampered 4 out and no impression, no extra after, 5th of 9, dist behind Static Jack (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
The Storyteller (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, pushed out to assert before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, won at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Battleford (11-5) by 9l, 6 ran.
Chateau Conti (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, ridden in remote 8th 3 out, trailing when bad mistake next, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Polar Present (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd from 7th, improved to lead after 8th, soon clear, 5-length advantage 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, narrowly headed last, kept on well without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Monksland (11-0) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Caliption 9-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, a little keen, 4th halfway, pushed along under 3f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on without threatening, 4th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Sally Park (12-0) at Cork 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
