chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 5 out, improved to lead before 2 out, mistake 2 out, asserted entering straight, shaken up briefly before last, easily
led, bad mistake 4 out, headed before 2 out, no extra in 3rd entering straight, weakened before last
held up in rear, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
Winning point-to-pointer French Dynamite led for most of the way when tackling a Navan Grade 2 over 2m4f in November and was also in touch for a long way in the 3m Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle here. He's likely to take some catching but the concession of 15lb to WONDER LAISH may prove beyond him. Now with William O'Doherty following the suspension of Charles Byrnes, he's also more likely to be suited by today's trip and looks the one to beat. Dr Mikey hasn't been seen since scoring over 2m4f at Listowel in September 2019 while Judgement Day was in poor form when last seen in the summer.
French Dynamite (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last where not fluent, no extra run-in, 5th of 7, 10l behind Flooring Porter (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Dr Mikey (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Made all, slight mistake 5th, 5-length advantage before 3 out, reduced advantage entering straight, pressed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Listowel 2m 4f gd in Sep beating Stratum (11-8) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Judgement Day (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led and disputed, slightly slow 1st, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 3rd after 5th, 4th halfway, slight mistake 7th and reminders, slight mistake next and pushed along, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened, last of 5, dist behind Go Another One (11-7) at Down Royal 3m Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Wonder Laish 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 4th, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, disputed closer 4th before last, kept on run-in to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Saint Roi (11-2) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
