held up in 5th, progress into 3rd and pushed along entering straight, soon ridden, went 2nd after last, kept on without reaching winner inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along 5th, pushed along 3 out, ridden in moderate 7th entering straight, went 5th and no impression on leaders at last, kept on without threatening in 4th close home, never nearer
in touch towards rear, closer 6th 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, 4th and no impression at last, no extra, 5th close home
always prominent, 2nd from halfway, led travelling well 2 out, pushed along before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
in rear, bumped 3rd, slight mistake next, slight mistake and ridden 3 out, no impression
prominent, 3rd at halfway, ridden in 4th 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 2nd at last, 3rd after last and kept on same pace inside final furlong
led, slight mistake 8th and briefly pushed along, pushed along from next, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened
American Mike, placed in championship bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown, easily won his maiden over this trip at Down Royal but flopped when long odds-on for a Navan Grade 3 where he didn't jump well. He's better than that and looks the best of Gordon Elliott's trio. Deep Cave looks a progressive stayer but GOOD LAND was very impressive when landing a 2m4f maiden here that has worked out well and may be good enough. Paul Townend has chosen to ride Quais De Paris over Grangeclare West. His mount had no problems landing a Tramore maiden on heavy ground but the latter disappointed in a Grade 1 at Naas, though was reported to be coughing post-race. Sandor Clegane showed that stamina is his strongpoint when easily landing a Punchestown maiden over this sort of trip while UK raider Weveallbeencaught made all over an extended 2m4f at Cheltenham so this trip shouldn't pose a problem.
Absolute Notions (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Led, joined briefly 2 out (usual 4 out), led at last, (usual 3 out) ridden and headed bypassing 2 out, dropped to 3rd bypassing last, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Inthepocket (11-3) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Cool Survivor (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Soon led, 2 lengths ahead halfway, pushed along and headed 3 out, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd, kept on again to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Hiddenvalley Lake (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Deep Cave (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, under pressure in 3rd before last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Lot of Joy (11-0) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Good Land (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Soon led, increased lead after 2nd, reduced advantage before 3rd (normal 4th), pressed last (normal 2 out), travelled well and asserted 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Tag Man (11-12) by 8l, 12 ran.
Grangeclare West (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Rear of mid-division, took closer order in 3rd 3 out, 4th after last (normal 3 out), progress to 3rd under 3f out, no impression in 4th over 1f out, dropped to 5th and no extra closing stages, 5th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Champ Kiely (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Quais De Paris (FR) 1-5fav (11-4) Close up on outer, 3rd after 5th, improved to 2nd 4 out, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden and asserted before last, kept on well, won at Tramore 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Birdie Or Bust (10-11) by 3 1/4l, 15 ran.
Sandor Clegane (IRE) 15-8 (11-10) Prominent, led from 6th and made rest, pushed along and went clear entering straight, stayed on strongly run-in, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Bleu D'enfer (11-9) by 12l, 14 ran.
Weveallbeencaught (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Made all, ridden before last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f mdn (2) gs in Jan beating Rock My Way (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
American Mike (IRE) 2-7fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead 3rd, headed 4th, not fluent 6th and 7th, close 2nd and carried slightly right 3 out, ridden and disputed lead when jumped slightly right 2 out, strongly pressed when left in front at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace close home, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Dawn Rising (11-0) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
