mid-division, 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
rear of mid-division, closer in 5th 2 out, soon pushed along, 4th at last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th 2 out, pushed along and headway to lead approaching last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, reduced advantage close home
in rear, some progress travelling well entering straight, went 7th at last, pushed along run-in, 4th inside final furlong, stayed on well, never nearer
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd briefly 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
in rear, no impression from 2 out, never a factor
rear of mid-division, dropped to last 3 out, some progress on outer and pushed along entering straight, moderate 8th at last, ran on strongly under hands and heels inside final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd close home
mid-division on outer, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in, went 2nd close home
Barry Geraghty has chosen CROSSED MY MIND of JP's trio and he was on board for the only time when his mount finished a close third in a Sandown Listed contest in December. The owner also has Gran Geste engaged though he got bogged down in the mud on his hat-trick attempt at Navan. Destin D'Ajonc, the third of the McManus entries, has a victory in France to his credit though will need to do more on what he's shown here. Hardback gained a surprise victory in a novices' handicap here in December and is likely to do better but Chesterfield King will need to step-up on his victory in a novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Destin D'Ajonc (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, progress into 4th 3 out, pushed along entering straight, stayed on to chase leaders 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last and no impression on leading pair, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 11 1/4l behind Sandsend (10-13) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Pyromaniac (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders early, dropped to 11th 3f out, soon pushed along, no impression, 9th of 15, 9 1/2l behind Three Kingdoms (8-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Grand Partner (IRE) 5-1 (12-4) Held up in touch, 5th at 3rd, not fluent 6th, pushed along before straight, no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 9, 11 3/4l behind De Benno (9-13) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Golden Spear 8-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along after 4 out and no extra in rear next, eased, 12th of 13, dist behind Top Othe Ra (10-6) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Hardback (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Raced in 7th early, soon chased leaders in 6th, progress to challenge from before last and soon on terms and slight mistake, stayed on well run-in to lead near line and rider lost whip, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec beating Low Sun (11-4) by hd, 14 ran.
Charlie Stout (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, effort from before straight, soon one pace, 13th of 28, 16 3/4l behind Off You Go (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Gran Geste (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, 8th from 3rd, pushed along before straight, no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Riders Onthe Storm (11-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Jan.
Great Khan (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led and disputed, ridden to assert before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating Giant Spirit (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader, headway before 2nd, 6th after 7th, 7th at 8th, under pressure after 3 out, no impression and badly hampered after 2 out, weakened, 5th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Crown Of Gold (10-11) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Chesterfield King (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden in 5th after 2 out and headway before last where slight mistake, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Randalls Ur Poet (10-6) by nk, 9 ran.
Crossed My Mind (IRE) 3-1fav (10-3) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 13, 30 1/2l behind Jenkins (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
