made all, clear from 3rd, jumped right and slight mistake 3 out, jumped right again last, soon ridden and reduced advantage, stayed on under pressure, always holding chasing pair
raced in moderate 2nd, closer 3rd and stayed on under pressure from last
held up, 4th from 5 out, no extra from after 2 out
held up, slight mistkae 6th, trailing when mistake and pulled up 3 out
tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, ridden from 2 out, closer 2nd after last, stayed on under pressure without threatening winner
Willie Mullins had a very strong entry at the five-day stage and relies on ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE. An easy winner on his chasing bow in May, he reappeared to take the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse in very impressive fashion and today's shorter trip shouldn't prove a problem as he jumped superbly. He'll need to be every bit as good as connections believe to see off the attentions of Oscars Well, a very high-class hurdler who has every chance of proving just as good over fences judged on his tremendous performance at Navan where he jumped like an old hand. Dylan Ross was beaten 26 lengths and is well held and Baily Green's brilliant winning run came to an end when narrowly beaten by Twinlight in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. Benefficient produced one of the shocks of last season when landing the Grade 1 Deloitte over hurdles here in February and has done well over fences though he's up against potential champions here.
Arvika Ligeonniere (FR) 2-1 (11-10) Made all, went well clear from 3rd, reduced advantage 4 out, travelling well next, stayed on strongly from 2 out, pushed out run-in, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft beating Dedigout (11-10) by 11l, 5 ran.
Baily Green (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, challenged 2 out, kept on to join winner run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Twinlight (11-7) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) hvy in Nov.
Benefficient (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 6th, headed 11th, led again approaching 5 out, strongly challenged 3 out, headed close home, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Harry Topper (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Dylan Ross (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Held up in 6th, moderate 5th 5 out, ridden in moderate 4th entering straight, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 7, 26l behind Oscars Well (11-8) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs hvy.
Oscars Well (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 6th, well clear from 4 out, steadied approaching 2 out and reduced lead, stayed on well from last, easily, won at Navan 2m 1f nov chs hvy beating Cootamundra (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
