tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no impression
mid-division on outer, ridden in 5th before 2 out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, mistake at 7th, headway into 4th and ridden 2 out, went 2nd after last, swished tail inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
always behind, never a factor
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden in 7th 3 out, no impression from next
rear of mid-division, headway on outer into 6th and pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd and ridden 2 out, 5th at last, no extra
disputed lead, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed next, headed at last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong
disputed lead, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, pushed along on outer entering straight, never a factor
tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 9th after 3 out, no impression
in rear, 10th when mistake 2 out, never a factor
Callthebarman is the only course winner though his victory came over a mile in 2019. Gain De Cause was well supported to land a Punchestown handicap then defied a 9lb rise on a return visit. He's up another 8lb and SPARKLING STARS could be more progressive. He was having his first start for Richard O'Brien when scoring over the minimum at Naas, where he stayed on strongly, and the longer trip is likely to be in his favour. Chosen Diamond ran very well in a Fairyhouse handicap so has to be on the shortlist while Petrol Head's victory in November came over this trip on ground with give. Any money for the latter should be taken seriously.
Fire Squadron (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, ridden entering straight, briefly short of room 2 out, weakened, 8th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Bigz Belief (11-11) at Naas 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Gain De Cause (FR) 11-4fav (11-13) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway 3 out and 2nd next, ridden and switched right approaching last, led run-in, kept on under pressure, just held on, won at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Jan beating Krabat (12-0) by shd, 20 ran.
Sparkling Stars (FR) 15-2 (11-11) Mid-division on outer, headway into moderate 6th 2 out, soon ridden, went 3rd at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Naas 2m hcp sft in Feb beating I Don't Get It (10-5) by 3l, 23 ran.
Callthebarman (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 15, dist behind Gevrey (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Feb.
Gaius (FR) 50-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, slow 2nd, detached after 4 out, no extra, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind Light Brigade (11-6) at Thurles 1m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Powersbomb (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, no impression before 3 out, no extra and pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Silvertown (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 6th, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, soon no extra and behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Hereditary Rule (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 10th of 16, 12 1/2l behind Clarens (11-6) at Navan 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Difficult Decision (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 16, 13 1/4l behind Memory Of Youth (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Tipping Away (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, closer 3 out, no impression before next where mistake, weakened, 10th of 12, 35 1/2l behind Bitview Colin (10-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Petrol Head (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and detached after 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off, 13th of 21, dist behind Young Dev (11-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Chosen Diamond (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division on outer, headway into 8th 3 out, pushed along next, ridden in 5th at last, kept on without threatening, never nearer, 3rd of 16, 3 1/4l behind Memory Of Youth (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
West Is Awake (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 6th entering straight, no impression, never a factor, 9th of 24, 31 1/2l behind Goven (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Feb.
