chased leader, 5th halfway, progress after 2 out and 2nd early straight, switched left and disputed last, kept on under pressure, no extra closing stages
led and soon clear, jumped right 8th and 9th, 4 lengths lead halfway, slight mistake 10th, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression in 3rd last, no extra run-in
chased leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 10th, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression before last, no extra
chased leader, 6th halfway, 4th 3 out, no extra in 5th approaching last
chased leader, 4th halfway, 6th 6 out, mistake 3 out and no extra next, kept on one pace
chased leader, 3rd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, ridden and joined last, kept on well under pressure to assert closing stages
always rear, mistake 9th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Willie Mullins has plenty of success over the weekend but also suffered some unexpected reverses. He had four entered here at the early stage and relies on DON POLI, who looked the real deal on his debut over fences at Gowran last month where the heavy ground looked perfect. He'll be even better over this longer trip and can see off some smart rivals. Apache Stronghold is certainly in that category having finished runner-up to another Mullins hotpot in Valseur Lido in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse while Mala Beach could hardly have been more impressive at Punchestown three weeks ago. He was earlier beaten by The Tullow Tank at Fairyhouse but had that winner a long way behind in the Drinmore. The smart hurdler Shanahan's Turn won a Punchestown Grade 2 in very impressive fashion and he's another to consider in what should be a cracking contest.
Apache Stronghold (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Always prominent, jumped left and led at 5th, headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd 2 out, 2nd again before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Valseur Lido (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Nov.
Lots Of Memories (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd entering straight, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly, won at Navan 2m 1f beg chs beating Fine Rightly (11-12) by 11l, 18 ran.
Mala Beach (IRE) 11-8 (11-12) Tracked leader in close 2nd, narrowly led after 6th, mistake 6 out, ridden and asserted after 3 out, eased run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 6f beg chs beating Sumos Novios (11-12) by 16l, 7 ran.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Held up, mainly 4th, improved to 3rd 5 out, travelled well to lead before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, slightly awkward last, kept on well under pressure run-in, asserted closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m 6f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Indevan (11-6) by 5l, 5 ran.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along 5 out, closer in 6th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 13, 22l behind Valseur Lido (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Nov.
Don Poli (IRE) 11-10fav (11-11) Always prominent, improved to dispute lead 8th, not fluent 5 out, led next, pushed along and clear 2 out, not fluent at last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov beating Wounded Warrior (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Very Wood (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd from 7th, mistake 5 out, soon 4th, pecked and ridden in rear 4 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shanahan's Turn (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
