Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have shared the last seven of these though both may be upstaged here by Henry De Bromhead's BOB OLINGER. His sole defeat came when a length behind Ferny Hollow at Gowran but he was very impressive when landing the odds at Navan and will take some catching. The champion trainer saddles Blue Lord, who is very highly regarded in the yard and had plenty in hand when making a winning start at Punchestown. Elliott has two entries though both Wide Receiver and Ragnar Lodbrok have plenty to find unlike Ashdale Bob, who looked very progressive when landing a Navan Grade 2 last month with Gabynako around 7 lengths behind.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in touch in 6th, went 5th 4 out, close 5th on inner 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Fakiera (11-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Blue Lord (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon 3rd, headway and effort straight, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn sft in Nov beating Julies Stowaway (12-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Bob Olinger (IRE) 1-8fav (12-0) Made all, not fluent at 1st, clear when not fluent 2 out and at last, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, very easily, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Dunboyne (12-0) by 14l, 14 ran.
Crosshill (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader, raced keenly, slight mistake 4th, not fluent next, on terms 3 out, ridden to lead before last, strongly pressed after last and soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Power Of Pause (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 1f hvy in Dec.
Flanking Maneuver (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Tracked leader, 2nd at 6th and closer next, travelled well and led 2 out, asserted approaching last, kept on well, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan beating Folcano (12-0) by 6l, 15 ran.
Gabynako (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, went 2nd at 4th, disputed lead entering straight, mistake and ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner in 2nd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Ashdale Bob (11-4) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Ragnar Lodbrok (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Towards rear, 5th after 5th, not fluent at 8th, took closer order after 4 out, slight mistake in 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leader 2 out where not fluent, kept on run-in, not trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Sayce Gold (10-9) at Cork 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Wide Receiver (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, headway to dispute lead before 4th, led after 3 out, ridden early straight and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec beating Decimation (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Great Bear 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and dropped to 4th early straight, no impression when not fluent last, no extra, 5th of 20, 30 3/4l behind Gaillard Du Mesnil (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
