led, not fluent 2nd, briefly clear from next, hit 5th, joined approaching 2 out, headed approaching straight, soon no extra
towards rear, dropped to last and pushed along approaching 2 out, soon no impression and weakened, completely tailed off
soon raced in 2nd, on terms approaching 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, disputed 3rd from 3rd, 5th and slight mistake 2 out, no impression from early straight in moderate 3rd, kept on same pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, soon raced in 5th, closed up from before 2 out, on terms from before straight, headed approaching last, kept on without matching winner run-in
tracked leaders, disputed 3rd from 3rd, closed up 3 out, on terms approaching next where slightly slow and pushed along and headed, no impression into straight
towards rear, not jump well, moderate 6th approaching 2 out, some headway and not much room early straight, moderate 4th from before last, soon no extra, one pace
Gigginstown have four of the eight runners here and Bryan Cooper would have the pick. He's chosen AVENIR D'UNE VIE after his very impressive hurdling debut at Fairyhouse and though that form doesn't look as strong as some of these rivals his choice has to be respected. He was also on board stable companion Peace News when he fell at the second last in the Grade 1 Bar One at Fairyhouse when Saturnas finished runner-up and Le Martalin a couple of lengths behind in third so should have a good idea of how his mount stands with that pair. The former's stablemate Riven Light made an impressive start for Willie Mullins at Thurles while Sunni May has beaten some smart novices for his two victories on testing ground. Brelade only scrambled home at Navan and will need to do much better.
Le Martalin (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, ran freely, disputed briefly 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before next, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Airlie Beach (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Lion In His Heart (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Soon led, jumped left 4th, soon joined, jumped left 5th and hung left, soon ran out, at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Saturnas (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 5th, closer 3 out and ridden to go 2nd after next, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Airlie Beach (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Sunni May (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) 3rd early, 2nd at 4th, soon on terms, led from 5th, jumped slightly left from 6th onwards, asserted approaching straight, slightly reduced lead when not fluent last, ridden out and stayed on well to go clear run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Kalopsia (11-0) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Brelade 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden from next, strongly pressed at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Joey Sasa (11-12) by nk, 30 ran.
Peace News (GER) 7-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress 3 out, pushed along to go 2nd and fell next, at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Riven Light (IRE) 2-7fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, challenged 3 out, improved to dispute 2 out, travelled best when slight mistake and left in lead last, not extended, won at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding in Dec beating La Bella Vida (10-9) by 12l, 18 ran.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 9-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd early, on terms 4 out, soon led, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Aussie Reigns (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
