tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led 5f out, travelled well under 2f out, under pressure inside final furlong and headed final 100 yards, no impression on winner close home
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd over 4f out, ridden 2f out and under pressure in 2nd over 1f out, no impression in 3rd 100 yards oiut, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway and 2nd over 4f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, under pressure and progress to lead final 100 yards, kept on well
led, headed 5f out and soon dropped to rear, weakened, eased in straight, completely tailed off
ran 6th, 5th approaching straight, pushed along and no extra 2f out, weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th approaching straight, pushed along and no extra under 2f out, weakened
Avenir D'une Vie put a poor debut behind him to score convincingly at Navan after which his trainer suggested he could be very useful. However, the runner-up and third have since been well beaten and he faces a stiff task here against BALLELA BOY. A very impressive winner on his debut at Naas, he was bought by Gigginstown at the subsequent sales and sent to Gordon Elliott so gets the vote. New To This Town beat a huge field on testing ground at Thurles last month and further progress is guaranteed while both Thekingofrockandroll and the mare Sliabh Donn have shown potential and shouldn't be ignored in an interesting bumper.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 8-11fav (12-0) Held up early, soon chased leaders, raced towards outer, tracked leaders approaching straight, switched left 3f out, on terms from 2f out, led travelling smoothly over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Navan 2m hvy in Dec beating Delegate (12-0) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Naas 2m Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Bright Tomorrow (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
New To This Town (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, progress approaching straight and 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, led over 100 yards out and kept on well, won at Thurles 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Articulum (12-0) by 1l, 17 ran.
Thekingofrocknroll (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, never a factor, pushed along in 10th entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Gurteen (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m hvy in Dec.
Derintoher Yank (IRE) Dubai Destination gelding out of Anns Present.
Sliabh Donn (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leader, disputed after 4f, ridden in 2nd 3f out, no impression in 3rd 2f out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd closing stages of final furlong, 4th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Commeragh Trix (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m fll hvy in Dec.
