chased leaders, pecked slightly 1st, moderate 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra, kept on one pace in straight
always rear, never a factor, well off pace halfway, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, no extra
soon led, slight mistake 4th, 6 lengths clear halfway, not fluent 3 out and reduced advantage next, pushed along and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, closer 2 out, headway to lead approaching last, kept on well run-in, comfortably
ran 4th, well off pace halfway, no impression when slight mistake 3 out, no extra, kept on one pace in straight
SAINT SAM, who was chasing last year, made all on his return to hurdles at Punchestown but made too many mistakes in a Grade 2 over 2m5f here next time. He has three Cheltenham entries while Fils D'oudairies has two including one over fences. The latter hasn't won as often as he should have but he's run some cracking races, including when a close second in an Aintree Grade 3 handicap last April. Gatsby Grey was in excellent form at this time a year ago but hasn't been at his best recently and is unsuited by the race conditions. The remaining pair have plenty to find.
Gatsby Grey (FR) 20-1 (11-12) In rear, closer in 11th 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden in 10th at last, kept on run-in, 5th close home, never nearer, 5th of 17, 8 1/2l behind Perceval Legallois (10-12) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Feb.
Pale Blue Dot (FR) 10-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, disputed lead from 7th, mistake 4 out, ridden entering straight, headed bypassing 2 out, no impression in 5th when fell at last, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Saint Sam (FR) Evensfav (11-3) Tracked leaders, dropped to rear of mid-division at 4th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along 3 out, under pressure in 6th when bad mistake 2 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Blazing Khal (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Fils D'oudairies (FR) 3-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 5th, bad mistake 8th soon dropped to rear and pushed along, no impression when slightly hampered 2 out, weakened, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Final Orders (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Halsafari (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up disputing 5th, slight mistakes 1st and 3rd, 5th from 4th, pushed along in 4th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th and slight mistake 2 out, slight mistake at last, no impression, 4th of 6, 19l behind Rebel Gold (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
