led and disputed, bad mistake in lead 4 out, pressed 3 out and soon ridden, jumped slightly left 2 out and joined, kept on best from last and edged ahead run-in
chased leaders, prominent from 4th and disputed at times, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra 3 out, weakened next
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
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
held up, 4th halfway, improved to be close up 6 out, 2nd entering straight, challenged 3 out, ridden and disputed 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd and held run-in
Our Duke bids to get his season back on track. Last year's Irish National winner was expected to take high rank this campaign but he's been very disappointing in Grade 1's at Down Royal and Leopardstown. He had Valseur Lido behind in the Irish Gold Cup last time and Henry De Bromhead's charge, a Grade 1 winner in 2016, is another on a retrieval mission. A Toi Phil is a regular winner at this level and only fails when tackling Grade 1 company. He had Ballycasey, who won a lesser renewal of this last year, a long way behind in a Grade 2 over the course and distance in September and should confirm the form. PRESENTING PERCY has proved himself versatile on ground, over different distances and over fences. He's a the clear ante-post favourite for the RSA at Cheltenham, though that isn't his only option, and his latest victory over a strong field of hurdlers here suggests he can revert to the bigger obstacles with his third success.
Our Duke (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Soon tracked leaders, 4th at 7th, almost on terms from 4 out, bad mistake 2 out and not recover, kept on same pace without threatening straight, 4th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Edwulf (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Valseur Lido (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division early, 6th at 7th, slight mistake 11th, pushed along before 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Edwulf (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
A Toi Phil (FR) 6-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, closer in 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out and asserted approaching last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan beating American Tom (11-0) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Ballycasey (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In rear, behind approaching 8th, went moderate 5th approaching last and kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 34 3/4l behind Min (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Presenting Percy 9-4jfav (11-3) Chased leader, closer in 3rd halfway, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden approaching last where edged right, kept on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 3m (1) hvy in Jan beating Augusta Kate (11-3) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
