tracked leader, 2nd halfway, left in lead after 7th, slight mistake 3 out, asserted after next and stayed on well run-in, easily
led, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, mistake and unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, left 2nd after 7th, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression on easy winner, no extra run-in
held up in rear, left 3rd after 7th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, no extra
Chesterfieldavenue made a successful racecourse debut at Naas last month and though certain to make further progress he's up against a trio of smart performers this time. Tycoon Prince completed a hat-trick of bumper victories before making a successful start in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown. He started odds-on for a Navan Grade 3 next time but came up against a couple of very useful performers and could only stay on at one pace. Gigginstown's retained jockey Bryan Cooper rides with Jacques Ricou on board their Stone Hard, whose only defeat in four starts came when well beaten in the Championship bumper at Cheltenham in March. He beat a big field in good style on his hurdling debut at Gowran but Ruby Walsh should take this for the Willie Mullins camp via BELLSHILL. He was also behind in the Cheltenham bumper but made amends in the Punchestown version and could hardly have been more impressive on his hurdling debut at Cork.
Bellshill (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Slight mistake 1st, close up, slight mistake 4 out, challenged straight, on terms 3 out where slight mistake but travelling smoothly, led 2 out, asserted from before last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Hurry Henry (11-12) by 9l, 11 ran.
Stone Hard (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Chased clear leader, moderate 2nd halfway, progress to lead before 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Don't Touch It (11-12) by 2l, 20 ran.
Tycoon Prince (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) In rear, slight mistake 4 out, closed approaching straight to be prominent, challenged 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last where jumped left, one pace, 3rd of 5, 6 3/4l behind Three Stars (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Chesterfieldavenue (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) 3rd and a little keen at slow pace early, disputed 2nd before straight, soon challenged travelling smoothly, pushed along from 2 out, gained slight lead last, pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m mdn Yielding in Nov beating Marakoush (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
