in rear, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon no impression, no extra straight
soon raced in 5th, mistake 9th and pushed along, headway next, moderate 3rd and pushed along approaching 2 out, soon no impression, weakened straight, tailed off
soon raced in 4th, not fluent 5th, 3rd at 9th, slight mistakes 10th and 3 out, pushed along to go moderate 3rd approaching straight, no impression and hit last, 2nd and kept on well closing stages
close up in 2nd, slightly slow 7th, travelling smoothly and challenged straight, gained narrow lead before last where left with decisive advantage, stayed on well run-in
led, tended to jump slightly right, slight mistake 8th, pushed along approaching straight, narrowly headed before last and bad mistake, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace closing stages
soon raced in 3rd, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, 4th at 9th, not fluent 10th, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon no impression, no extra straight
Once again another trio of entries from the Willie Mullins yard who have won five of the last ten. Pont Alexandre, once touted as a future Gold Cup hope before injury struck, gained an easy reappearance success on his chasing debut before finding stablemate Roi Des Francs too strong at Naas. He can still make progress though a line through the winner gives him a little bit to find with Monksland, who beat him narrowly at Gowran. The latter ran very poorly in a Grade 1 here in December where he hardly jumped a fence and is much better than that. McKinley, a Grade 1 winner over timber, looked a smart prospect at Fairyhouse but takes a huge leap in class as does Zabana after his victory over Blair Perrone here though Andrew Lynch's charge was a very smart and progressive hurdler who can reach a place here. OUTLANDER hasn't won either of his two starts over fences easily but he's looked a sound jumper which should stand him in good stead. He just gets the nod in what should be an intriguing contest.
Blair Perrone (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, 4th halfway, kept wide and went 2nd 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, no impression before last, left in front early run-in, ridden and kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Killultagh Vic (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 3f (1) sft in Jan.
Mckinley 6-4fav (11-12) Soon chased leader, slight mistake 3rd, left in lead 5th, went on from 2 out, pushed along and asserted between last 2, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hvy in Jan beating Missyspet (11-5) by 5 1/2l, 10 ran.
Monksland (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistakes 11th, 4 out and 2 out, ridden entering straight and no impression in 3rd when mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 4, 27l behind No More Heroes (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Outlander (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Raced in 2nd, joined for that position at 9th, pushed along briefly before straight in 2nd, challenged from before 2 out, soon gained narrow lead, stayed on best run-in, won at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Avant Tout (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Pont Alexandre (GER) 4-7fav (11-5) Disputed lead, headed approaching 9th, on terms before 2 out where pecked slightly, pushed along between last 2, slight mistake last, narrowly headed run-in, a little tight for room and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Roi Des Francs (11-5) at Naas 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Zabana (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to challenge in straight and led before last, pushed out and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 3f hvy in Dec beating Blair Perrone (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
