tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge before 2 out, pushed along and led approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in
led, jumped right, slight mistake 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and dropped to 4th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
ran 4th, not fluent 3 out, pushed along after next and 3rd before last where not fluent, ridden and kept on well run-in, not reach winner
always towards rear, never a factor, no impression early straight, no extra after 2 out, eased run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, 3rd and no impression run-in
towards rear, never a factor, not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 2 out and soon no impression, no extra approaching last
Gordon Elliott has three entries here but Chosen Mate has a penalty for his victory in a Grade 2 here last month where he just held on from Hannon, who was receiving a stone. Stable companion Retribution makes a quick reappearance after easily winning a Clonmel maiden 10 days ago where he looked one to follow but Thunder Down Under won a Fairyhouse bumper in January and has been thrown in at the deep end for his hurdling debut. MISTER BLUE SKY represents Willie Mullins and the four-times Flat winner looked a natural when storming away with a Wexford maiden in October. He gets the nod to follow up as Gallant John Joe may find this on the short side after a superb effort in a 2m6f Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. Filon D'Oudairies gets all the allowances and will have come on a bundle for her run at Leopadstown on St Stephen's Day while Hearts Are Trumps has been going well in top handicaps and deserves a crack at this slightly higher level.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division early, 10th approaching halfway, pushed along briefly after 6th, soon headway, rider dropped whip into straight, kept on without matching front pair from over 1f out, 3rd of 16, 6 1/2l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Advantage Point (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ran freely, disputed 2nd and led after next, mistake 4 out, pressed and jumped right 2 out, soon ridden, mistake and headed last, rallied well to lead again final 100 yards, kept on well close home, won at Naas 2m mdn gd in Feb beating All For Joy (11-12) by 1l, 25 ran.
Mister Blue Sky (IRE) 9-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 3 out, improved to lead before 2 out, asserted before last, shaken up briefly run-in, easily, won at Wexford 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Put The Kettle On (10-9) by 8 1/2l, 14 ran.
Retribution 8-1 (11-4) Soon in chasing group behind clear leader, 3rd approaching 3 out, soon closed in 2nd, on terms before 2 out, soon led, asserted from before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn gd in Feb beating Edelpour (11-12) by 15l, 16 ran.
Hearts Are Trumps (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, effort straight, soon one pace, 10th of 19, 8l behind Off You Go (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Thunder Down Under (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, improved to dispute 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Jan beating Cats For Cash (11-12) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Chosen Mate (IRE) 9-10fav (11-4) Soon close up in 2nd, on terms before 5th, led straight travelling smoothly, ridden run-in, kept on closing stages, just held on, won at Naas 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Hannon (10-4) by ns, 6 ran.
Filon D'Oudairies (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, pulled hard, jumped left 1st, 9th approaching halfway, some headway and effort straight, no impression when impeded last, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Rocky Blue (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
