waited with, soon in touch towards rear, improved to be prominent from 6th, led approaching straight, soon attempted to assert, strongly pressed and kept on well run-in, headed at line
led, not fluent 8th and next, headed approaching straight, no extra approaching 2 out, unseated rider last
soon prominent, slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along, no extra approaching 2 out
soon prominent, lost position and slight mistake 3 out, soon under pressure and no impression, weakened
waited with in rear, closed approaching 3 out travelling smoothly, went 2nd and effort straight, stayed on well under pressure run-in to lead at line
prominent, slight mistake 5th, soon towards rear, pecked and pushed along briefly 6 out and some headway, slight mistake 3 out and no impression, soon weakened
A cracking race in prospect with Gabynako already excelling at the highest level having been narrowly beaten by Beacon Edge in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. Noel Meade trains the winner and he has the progressive Lieutenant Command engaged though he'll need to step up markedly from his chasing debut victory. Vanillier easily won a Grade 1 novices' hurdle at Cheltenham and has started off over fences in excellent form, beating Lifetime Ambition at Down Royal and landing a Punchestown Grade 2 though the latter race fell into his lap. He was narrowly beaten by FAROUK D'ALENE (NAP) in a Grade 2 over hurdles here a year ago and the latter made a very satisfactory start over fences at Navan where he beat what looked a decent field. Gordon Elliott's well-regarded charge looks the one to beat.
Farouk D'Alene (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Led, joined from 5th, led 10th, joined again 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, regained lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in, reduced advantage close home, all out, won at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Dec beating Blue Sari (12-0) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Fire Attack (IRE) 4-7fav (12-0) Made all, soon clear, 6 lengths clear halfway, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, pushed out run-in, kept on well, won at Wexford 2m 4f hvy in Oct beating Even Flight (12-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Gabynako (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led, mistake at 10th, strongly pressed and ridden before last, headed and pecked last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Beacon Edge (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Lieutenant Command (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Disputed lead early, led from 4th and made rest, pushed along 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Nov beating Max Flamingo (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Master McShee 20-1 (12-0) Mid-division, progress to 6th after 6th, 5th after 9th, no impression in 4th 3 out where left 3rd, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 18, 16 1/2l behind Bob Olinger (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Global Equity (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Towards rear, slightly detached after 4th, detached at 10th, jumped left in moderate 5th 2 out, no extra, 5th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Beacon Edge (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent in 2nd at 7th, soon 3rd, 2nd after 9th, dropped to 3rd 2 out, weakened in 4th before last, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Beacon Edge (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Vanillier (FR) 13-8 (11-5) Led, jumped slightly left 8th, jumped slightly left 4 out and pressed, headed 3 out, on terms approaching next, soon regained lead, went on from before last where left clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) Yielding in Nov beating Fancy Foundations (11-5) by 26l, 4 ran.
