rear, 4th at 5th, took closer order in 3rd 2 out where left 2nd, ridden and kept on run-in, held
in touch, dropped to 5th at 5th, not fluent 4 out, weakened and detached 3 out, left moderate 4th 2 out, no extra
in touch, 3rd at 5th, took closer order after 4 out, travelled well into 2nd before 2 out where mistake and fell
tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 5th, closed at 6th, led before 4 out, ridden and kept on best under pressure run-in
led, increased advantage after 2nd, reduced lead at 6th, headed before 4 out, dropped to 4th 2 out where left 3rd, weakened before last where not fluent
Panda Boy has a bit to find with all bar the outsider Hope Des Blins but he's the type to win a big handicap this season. The very smart hurdler Fil Dor beat Saint Roi on his chasing debut at Navan but was beaten by that rival in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown then ran poorly in the Arkle back there in February. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him bounce back here though Willie Mullins looks to hold all the aces. Dinoblue is still only six and capable of further improvement though her victory in a Punchestown handicap in April falls just short of SIR GERHARD's overall form which include a narrow defeat by Flame Bearer in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 in April and a victory in last year's Ballymore at Cheltenham.
Fil Dor (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and dropped to rear next, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Asterion Forlonge (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Panda Boy (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Towards rear, 4th halfway, kept on one pace from 4 out, 4th of 5, 18 3/4l behind Minella Indo (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd and not fluent next, 4th 4 out, ridden and dropped to last next, weakened, trailing when pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Dinoblue (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to close in 4th 2 out, 2nd before last, pressed leader last, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr beating Douglas Talking (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Hope Des Blins (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Led and not fluent 1st, soon clear, not fluent 7th and reduced advantage, again not fluent 5 out, headed after 3 out and no extra in 3rd before next, weakened to 5th close home, 5th of 7, 21 1/2l behind Jody Ted (11-10) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp sft in Oct.
