tracked leader in 2nd, mistake at 3rd, took closer order before 6th, not fluent at 8th, lost place before 2 out where dropped to 4th, weakened before last
led, increased advantage after 1st, slight mistake at 3rd, reduced lead before 6th, travelled well and asserted after 2 out, clear last, eased run-in, impressive
towards rear, improved to 3rd at 6th, took closer order after 7th, closed in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on leader after 2 out, kept on run-in, no chance with winner
rear, 5th at 6th, detached in 4th at 10th, effort 3 out, stayed on approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, kept on without threatening run-in
soon mid-division, not fluent at 1st, dropped to 4th at 6th, detached in 5th at 10th, weakened after 3 out, completely tailed off
The smart Gerri Colombe won this last year and GAELIC WARRIOR, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, could also go right to the top over the larger obstacles judged an a facile victory at Punchestown. Willie Mullins also runs Thurles scorer Il Etait Temps while Gordon Elliott saddles the Navan winner American Mike. Lucid Dreams has won three of his six chase starts but Inothewayurthinkin may have more scope.
American Mike (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Led, increased advantage at 3rd, reduced lead before 6th, not fluent 2 out, pressed after 2 out, kept on best closing stages, won at Navan 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Fact To File (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Gaelic Warrior (GER) 4-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd early, jumped slightly right at times, led from before 5th and quickly clear, well clear from 4 out, stayed on strongly, unextended, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m 3f sft in Nov beating Inothewayurthinkin (11-12) by 15l, 11 ran.
Il Etait Temps (FR) 8-15fav (11-12) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, took closer order at 5th where not fluent, closed 3 out where mistake, travelled well to lead before last, asserted run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Nov beating Ho My Lord (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Inothewayurthinkin (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent at 1st, moderate 4th at halfway, went moderate 2nd 4 out, ridden entering straight, no impression on easy winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 15l behind Gaelic Warrior (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 3f sft in Nov.
Lucid Dreams (IRE) 5-6fav (11-10) Led, not fluent at 8th, 1 length clear after 10th, reduced lead after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, increased advantage before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f sft in Dec beating Joyeux Machin (11-7) by 22l, 2 ran.
