disputed lead, headed 7th, dispute lead again 9th, ridden and bad mistake 2 out and headed, dropped to 4th approaching last, kept on under pressure in 4th inside final furlong, not reach leaders
held up in last, bad mistake 1st and briefly trailing next, in touch at 4th, ridden in moderate 6th entering straight, no impression
tracked leaders in 4th, not fluent 9th, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, soon led, ridden and strongly pressed at last, joined inside final furlong, headed and dropped to 3rd close home
raced in 5th throughout, niggled along at halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression from next
disputed lead, led 7th, joined 9th, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, soon headed, dropped to close 3rd at last, rallied to dispute lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra near line
tracked leaders in 3rd, short of room between horses before 2 out, improved to dispute lead and ridden 2 out, soon headed, 2nd and slight mistake at last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, headway to dispute lead close home, led near line, all out
Dallas Des Pictons was an impressive winner on his chasing debut at Gowran but hasn't made much progress against better opposition including at this level. GALLANT JOHN JOE, a Listed winner over timber, was only beaten two lengths by the classy Melon on his chasing bow at Leopardstown then beat that one when an excellent third behind Notebook and Cash Back in the Grade 1 Arkle on a return visit. A repeat of either of those runs would be good enough as Royal Rendezvous was 15 lengths behind him in that latter race when he made numerous mistakes.
Dallas Des Pictons (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division when mistake and unseated rider at 1st, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Dolciano Dici (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader, soon moderate 3rd, closer 4 out, disputed before 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Kilfenora (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in 5th, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace without troubling leaders inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 7 3/4l behind Notebook (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Halsafari (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Towards rear, not fluent 4 out, some headway after next and 6th 2 out, ridden in 4th approaching last where slight mistake, no impression run-in, 5th of 12, 9l behind Ificudiwud (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Ministerforsport (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Close up, on terms approaching 7th, soon headed, effort straight, slight mistake last, one pace after, 5th of 16, 10 1/4l behind Castle Oliver (10-9) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Royal Rendezvous (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) In rear, mistake 1st, slight mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, under pressure in moderate 5th and bad mistake 2 out, no impression, 5th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Notebook (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
