chased leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to last and pushed along 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, weakened and tailed off
held up in last, 4th 3 out, travelled well into 3rd before last, challenged last, ridden to dispute briefly run-in, no extra close home
keen hold and led, challenged entering straight, ridden and headed before last, no extra and kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, challenged entering straight, ridden to lead before last, strongly pressed from last, disputed briefly run-in, asserted close home
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace
SOUS LES CIEUX has always looked like reaching the top of the tree and should follow-up his recent Grade 1 success at Fairyhouse. Willie Mullins' ex-French bumper winner beat the very promising Galileo's Choice in testing conditions that day and with the ground again in his favour he will be very difficult to beat. Cash And Go is taking a big leap in class after landing a maiden and a novices' event and will need to make significant progress to take this as will Formidableopponent, whose maiden success over timber at Navan hasn't worked out particularly well. Dylan Ross had Ballysteen just behind in a Listed contest at Punchestown and should confirm the form which could be good enough to get him into the runners-up spot.
Ballysteen (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader mainly 2nd, slight mistake 3 out, headway to lead approaching last, soon strongly pressed and headed early run-in, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Lord Windermere (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1).
Dylan Ross (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Settled in 4th, switched left to challenge approaching last, ridden and every chance run-in, not quite match winner closing stages, 2nd of 5, hd behind Lord Windermere (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1).
Sous Les Cieux (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, headway to lead approaching straight, travelling well and in command between final 2 hurdles, ridden out to maintain advantage run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft beating Galileo's Choice (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Cash And Go (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Waited with in rear of mid-division, headway from 4 out, close up travelling well approaching straight, ridden to challenge and lead 2 out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on best run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl sft in Nov beating Jenari (11-9) by 1l, 17 ran.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Settled in mid-division, headway entering straight, challenged on stands' side approaching last, led run-in and kept on well, comfortably, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Mount Colah (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 25 ran.
