in touch, 4th before 3rd, 3rd after 4 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before last, kept on same pace
rear, 7th after 3rd, progress after 2 out (normal 3 out), no impression in moderate 5th entering straight, weakened before last, tailed off
mid-division, 5th before 3rd, 6th 2 out (normal 3 out), soon dropped to 7th, weakened and eased approaching straight, tailed off
held up in rear, 8th after 3rd, progress to moderate 4th entering straight, no impression on principals, weakened before last, tailed off
led, increased advantage before 4 out where not fluent, soon reduced lead, slight mistake 3 out and last, ridden and asserted run-in, comfortably
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along before last where mistake, ridden and no impression on winner closing stages, kept on same pace
ran freely towards rear, headway to 3rd before 3rd, 4th after 4 out, lost place and dropped to rear after 2 out (normal 3 out), weakened and eased approaching straight, tailed off
rear of mid-division, not fluent at 1st and 2nd, 6th after 3rd, 5th 2 out (normal 3 out), no impression in moderate 6th approaching straight, weakened before last
Willie Mullins has won eight of the last nine of these and has four entries with Paul Townend choosing SIR GERHARD. The Cheltenham bumper winner came here for his hurdles debut on St Stephen's Day and jumped well to land the odds very easily with a subsequent winner trailing in third. He takes on much better rivals here with his own stablemates El Fabiolo, a very impressive winner at Tramore, and the mare Statuaire, who is seeking a four-timer, not here to make up the numbers. The latter is already a Grade 1 winner having caught My Mate Mozzie in the dying strides in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse while Three Stripe Life was having only his second start over timber when runner-up in the Grade 1 Future Champions here in December.
Colonel Mustard (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th on inside, dropped to last at 4th, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders before next, went 2nd at the last, never any chance with most impressive winner, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Jonbon (11-0) at Ascot 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Farout (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, closer 2 out and 4th entering straight, pushed along and no impression approaching last where left 4th, ridden and kept on one pace to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Mighty Potter (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Gatsby Grey (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to 3rd travelling well entering straight and on terms 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Kings Keeper (11-6) by 7l, 18 ran.
My Mate Mozzie (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Led narrowly, headed after 2nd, led 4 out, pressed 3 out where slight mistake, asserted before last where slight mistake, ridden and kept on, all out close home, headed final stride, 2nd of 7, shd behind Statuaire (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 2-9fav (12-0) Made all, not fluent 3 out, asserted travelling well entering straight, 4 lengths clear when not fluent last, kept on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Highland Charge (12-0) by 8l, 18 ran.
Three Stripe Life (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer when mistake 2 out, pushed along and switched right approaching last, 2nd and ridden run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Mighty Potter (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Watch House Cross (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, travelling well in 5th when left 3rd 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden to challenge at last, led 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Flaming Moon (11-9) by 2l, 21 ran.
Statuaire (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Rear, 6th before 4 out, checked after 4 out, headway 2 out where not fluent, switched right before last, ridden and ran on strongly in 2nd final 150 yards to lead final stride, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) gd in Nov beating My Mate Mozzie (11-12) by shd, 7 ran.
El Fabiolo (FR) 2-7fav (11-6) Prominent, led after 1st, made rest, went clear before 2 out where pecked slightly, kept on well, easily, won at Tramore 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Tempo Chapter Two (12-0) by 13l, 15 ran.
