held up in rear, left 3rd after 3rd, ridden into 2nd before last, no impression on winner, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd closing stages
chased leaders in 3rd, left 2nd after 3rd, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 3rd before last where slight mistake, kept on again run-in to 2nd closing stages
chased leader in close 2nd, slightly hampered 3rd, soon pulled up quickly
settled 4th, bad mistake and unseated rider 3rd
made all, jumped right 3rd, ran around slightly approaching 4th, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly
Willie Mullins had ober half of the original 17 entries and leaves a pair in at the overnight stage. It's hardly surprising that Ruby Walsh has chosen NICHOLS CANYON after his victory in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. That most certainly wasn't the best of its kind at that level but the former John Gosden-trainer four-year-old jumped well and his jockey will be able to use his Flat speed to good effect. His stablemate McKinley landed a Grade 3 at Navan last time but his form so far leaves him something to find while this is a big step-up for Golantilla after his maiden victory though he's a horse with great potential. Sub Lieutenant stepped out of bumpers to gain an impressive maiden victory at Fairyhouse and could be anything while Sizing John was beaten by another top Mullins prospect in Douvan at Gowran.
Golantilla (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd before 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, pressed close home, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Ryansbrook (11-4) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, 2nd approaching straight, led from 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl in Nov beating Golden Boot (11-12) by 10l, 22 ran.
Mckinley 11-4 (11-2) Chased leader early, improved to dispute lead after 3rd, gained marginal lead before 2 out and soon asserted when ridden, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Fort Smith (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Nichols Canyon 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd travelling well entering straight led after 2 out, and soon ridden clear, slight mistake at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Nov beating All Hell Let Loose (11-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
Sizing John 13-2 (11-6) Raced close 2nd for much, improved to dispute lead 3 out, ridden and headed next, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Douvan (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl hvy in Nov.
