tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out and went 2nd after next, pushed along before last, ridden to lead early run-in and edged left, kept on, under pressure and held on closing stages
always towards rear, 4th when slight mistake 5th, slow next and detached, no impression in rear 2 out, no extra in straight
always towards rear, detached in rear before 6th, ridden and moderate 4th after 2 out, kept on one pace in straight, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th when fell 3rd
led, slight mistake 2nd, 4 lengths lead halfway, slight mistake 2 out and headed, 3rd and pushed along entering straight, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, closer after 4 out, led 2 out, pushed along entering straight and mistake last, soon headed and slightly hampered, switched right, kept on well under pressure closing stages
RIVIERE D'ETEL's mares' allowance was used to great effect when completing her hat-trick including at Grade 2/3 level where she never looked in any danger. She couldn't quite cope with Ferny Hollow in the Racing Post here on St Stephen's Day and is faced with three from his yard here. Paul Townend chooses Blue Lord, a high-class novice hurdler last season who has sauntered home in both starts over fences though at nowhere near the level of the selection. Rachael Blackmore gets the leg-up on Saint Sam, another smart hurdler, who made all for a convincing chasing debut victory at Fairyhouse. Haut En Couleurs has a very similar profile to the latter having landed the odds in very easy fashion here in December and both enter the 'could be anything' category.
Blue Lord (FR) 1-4fav (11-10) Settled 3rd, improved to 2nd 2 out, 3rd last (normal 3 out), travelled well to lead approaching straight, asserted over 1f out, clear under 1f out, very easily, won at Naas 2m sft in Jan beating Lifetime Ambition (11-10) by 20l, 3 ran.
Embittered (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd early, dropped to 4th at 3rd, pushed along next, reminder 7th, ridden in moderate 4th after 4 out, remote 4th 2 out, weakened, last of 6, dist behind Riviere D'etel (10-11) at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Busselton (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Led, joined from 4th, headed 4 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, kept on in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Ciel De Neige (11-9) at Navan 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Haut En Couleurs (FR) 1-3fav (11-8) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway and closer before 7th, travelled well to challenge after 2 out and led entering straight, ridden briefly run-in and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Dec beating Gentleman De Mee (12-0) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Saint Sam (FR) 11-10fav (11-10) Made all, went clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, eased inside final furlong, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f sft in Jan beating Thedevilscoachman (12-0) by 9l, 10 ran.
Riviere D'etel (FR) 5-4 (11-1) Disputed lead until headed 1st, soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and pressed winner after last (normal 2 out), no impression inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Ferny Hollow (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
