tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
held up in rear and pulled hard, headway into 2nd on inner at halfway, disputed lead briefly 7f out, ridden in 2nd under 3f out, weakened from 2f out
held up in touch in last, progress into 4th 2 1/2f out, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, soon went 2nd, stayed on well final furlong to press winner to line
re-shod at start, soon tracked leaders in 4th, 5th halfway, 4th on outer 2 1/2f out, soon ridden and weakened
led, ridden entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened from 3f out
It will take a massive effort to beat ASPEN COLORADO, who comfortably saw off subsequent easy winner Without Limites over the course and distance last month and has an entry in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Clonkeen Lad was beaten 26 lengths and is hardly likely to reverse the form but Gordon Elliott's newcomer Brelade is interesting as he cost 85,000 euros and is a half-brother to a couple of winners. The Sneaky Punter ran quite well at Down Royal and can do better while the market should give an indication to the abilities of the remaining newcomers.
Aspen Colorado (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, ridden to assert over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m sft in Jan beating Without Limites (11-7) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
Balkalin (FR) Balko gelding out of Rose Caline.
Brelade Presenting gelding out of Polivalente.
Clonkeen Lad 5-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 4th and no extra 1f out, weakened, 4th of 6, 25 3/4l behind Aspen Colorado (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Jan.
The Sneaky Punter (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden in 5th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 8 1/2l behind She's A Star (11-0) at Down Royal 2m hvy in Feb.
Twotensandalift (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Certain Hope.