tracked leaders, 4th halfway, jumped into 2nd 4 out, ridden to lead after 3 out, clear before last, idled close home and reduced advantage
chased leader in 2nd, 3rd approaching 7th, ridden and no extra 3 out, kept on one pace
held up in last, 4th 3 out, ridden into 2nd before 2 out, no impression leader before last, kept on same pace run-in
led, headed approaching 7th, regained lead 7 out, headed after 5 out, dropped to 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression in last 3 out, kept on to moderate 3rd last, no impression leaders
chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead approaching 7th and mistake, headed 7 out, led again after 5 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra and kept on one pace
QUITO DE LA ROQUE is all about guts and stamina as he showed when landing a Grade 2 at Naas last time. Colm Murphy's charge had been outjumped and seemingly outclassed by Royal De La Thinte that day as the latter jumped superbly in front but hung in there and eventually wore down the latter, who then fell at the last when very tired. A 5lb penalty obviously gives him more to do but the testing ground is very much in his favour and he can defy the extra. The Hurl, a Grade 2 winner over timber on this track, is progressing nicely over fences though he'll need to step up on his recent victory at Gowran against this opposition. Ballymak was put in his place by Royal De La Thinte at Punchestown on New Year's Eve but has the look of a useful stayer when the mud is flying and it would be no surprise if he were to go very well here despite stepping up in class.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, niggled along before 5 out, ridden 3 out, headway into 2nd and challenged after 2 out, led before last, left clear, stayed on well, won at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan beating Western Charmer (11-5) by 14l, 5 ran.
Bronte Bay (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Led, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, soon no extra under pressure, 11th of 17, 44l behind Jack The Bus (9-12) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov.
Royal De La Thinte (FR) 7-4 (11-5) Close up, led after 3rd, jumped well until mistake 4 out, edged clear after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, headed when fell last, in a race won by Quito De La Roque (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan, 5 ran.
Slippers Percy (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, reminders 5 out, mistake 4 out, soon no extra, left remote 3rd from last, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Quito De La Roque (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.
The Hurl (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistakes 7th and 8th, led from 5 out, driven along and strongly pressed from before 3 out, almost joined last, stayed on weakened under pressure, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f nov chs sft in Jan beating Tharawaat (11-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Ballymak (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner after next, kept on well under pressure run-in, closed rapidly on winner final 50 yards, just failed, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Ad Idem (11-12) at Navan 2m 6f beg chase hvy in Jan.
