led, not fluent at 2nd, reduced advantage 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, dropped to 3rd and no impression before last, one paced run-in
raced 3rd, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression before last, one paced run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, took closer order 4 out, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden and headed before last where pecked slightly, switched right and kept on run-in, held
ran 4th, took closer order before 3 out, progress to 3rd 2 out, stayed on to lead before last where not fluent, kept on well
NonRunner
Willie Mullins saddles three of the five entries with Paul Townend opting to ride HAUT EN COULEURS. Twice placed in Grade 1 hurdle races, things haven't quite gone to plan over fences having fallen in two of his five starts since a winning debut at Leopardstown. He looked the likely winner when coming to the last in the lead in a Thurles Grade 2 last time before stumbling on landing. Stablemate Capodanno has to concede him 9lb by virtue of winning the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in April which may prove too much after a long absence while the very smart Janidil, a Grade 1 winner over fences, also returns from a long absence. Last year's Galway Plate runner-up Darasso is by no means out of this but Battleoverdoyen has a bit to find.
Capodanno (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Disputed lead, headed after 2nd, led at 9th, headed after 10th, led after 11th, increased advantage at 13th, slight mistake 3 out, asserted 2 out, driven out run-in, won at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Lifetime Ambition (11-10) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Darasso (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, dropped towards rear and not fluent at 2nd, under pressure in 5th before 2 out where slight mistake, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 29 1/2l behind Echoes In Rain (10-10) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Haut En Couleurs (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, closer in 4th 3 out, pressed leaders entering straight, led before last, soon ridden, knuckled on landing and fell last, at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Jan.
Janidil (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, pushed along at 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th, at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, badly hampered 8th, ridden 2 out, no impression, 9th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Final Orders (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Feb.
