mid-division, pecked 3 out, progress in 5th before 2 out, challenged 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, no extra run-in, kept on one pace
reluctant to line up, held up, ridden and progress in 9th entering straight, disputed 2 out, narrow lead last, kept on well run-in, joined closing stages, headed close home
tracked leaders briefly, soon mid-division, slight mistake 9th and dropped towards rear, no extra before 3 out, weakened
held up early, improved to track leaders from 8th, 5th halfway, slight mistake 10th and slow next, ridden in 7th and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, progress into 5th 3 out, challenged entering straight, disputed travelling well before 2 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra in 5th last
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 4 out, disputed next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra and weakened before last
settled behind leaders early, mid-division halfway, closer in 4th 5 out, ridden before 2 out, disputed 2 out, narrowly headed last, kept on well run-in, disputed closing stages, led close home
held up, slight mistake 10th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden towards rear after 3 out, soon no impression, weakened
soon led and disputed, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace
prominent briefly, soon tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened 2 out
disputed, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, under pressure in 4th last, kept on one pace run-in
FRANCO DE PORT ran a cracker when a close second in the ultra-competitive Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last time when only beaten half-a-length by Longhouse Poet. A similar performance here should see him go close despite the Willie Mullins' runner conceding weight all round. Champagne Platinum looks the likeliest challenger after a fine run behind Death Duty at Punchestown but Ronald Pump is a fascinating contender on a first start over fences since January 2020 while Diol Ker and Stones and Roses cannot be ignored in a decent renewal.
Franco De Port (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division on outer, headway into close 4th 3 out, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Longhouse Poet (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Ronald Pump 7-2 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, dropped to 5th at last, no impression, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Thedevilscoachman (11-6) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
Class Conti (FR) 28-1 (10-10) In rear, moderate 14th 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, never a factor, 9th of 18, 23 3/4l behind Longhouse Poet (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 5th after 2 out, pushed along and went 2nd early run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Death Duty (11-4) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Stormy Judge (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, pushed along and no danger from 3 out, kept on one pace without threatening, never a factor, 11th of 21, 29 1/4l behind Palace Rock (11-7) at Naas 1m 7f hcp sft in Feb.
Scoir Mear (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Mid-division on outer, ridden in 4th 2 out, 5th at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 3 3/4l behind Carrig Sam (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Diol Ker (FR) 15-2 (9-13) In rear, headway into 5th 4 out, ridden in 6th next, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 6l behind Longhouse Poet (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Alfa Mix 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, slightly hampered 4th, slight mistake 10th, closer 3 out, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, moderate 6th and slight mistake last, no extra, 7th of 13, 27 1/2l behind Death Duty (11-4) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Stones And Roses (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and hampered next, 7th and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 13, 23 1/2l behind Death Duty (11-4) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Defi Bleu (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3rd, ridden briefly at 5th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Full Time Score (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m sft in Feb.
Torygraph (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear after 3 out, no extra, 8th of 13, 31 1/4l behind Death Duty (11-4) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Darrens Hope (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 20 1/2l behind Dolcita (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Feb.
