held up in touch in last, slight mistake 8th and slow jump next, pushed along and went 3rd after 3 out, switched to inner and went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, joined at last, headed and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders in close 3rd, went 2nd and ridden from 3 out, dropped to 3rd next, no extra in 3rd when slight mistake at last
tracked leader in 2nd, jumped left 3rd, improved to lead 3 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed next, headed approaching last, rallied to dispute lead at last, stayed on well to regain lead inside final furlong
led, jumped left 1st and 2nd, not fluent 5th and slight mistake next, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, trailing before last
It's rare to find a Graded race without a Willie Mullins entry but perhaps GILGAMBOA has frightened the champion trainer off as he's beaten two of his runners for victories recently including at this level at Limerick on St Stephen's Day. Enda Bolger's charge had no answer to another of Mullins' stars in Un De Sceaux when tackling the Grade 1 Arkle at Leopardstown last month but this is his level and he can concede weight all round. He finished just half-a-length behind second-placed Clarcam in that latter event and today's rival Real Steel was a long way behind him earlier. Dromnea is going along nicely but tackles much better opposition as does Bishops Road after his scrambling victory at Leopardstown though the latter is on the upgrade. Useful hurdler Rawnaq made an impressive chasing bow here before meeting his match in better company at Cork.
Gilgamboa (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) In touch in last, attempted to run out briefly at 2nd and not fluent, disputed 2nd briefly at 3rd and 5th, mistake 7th, ridden before 2 out, soon no impression, last of 3, 16l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) in Jan.
Dromnea (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Always prominent, led from 5th, headed 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, soon led again, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs 0-123 in Jan beating Champagne James (11-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rawnaq (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd after 6th, 4th from 7 out, 3rd 4 out, pushed along in 4th before straight, 5th 2 out, 4th from last, one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Band Of Blood (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs in Oct.
Real Steel (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped left 7th and 8th, ridden from 2 out, no impression on winner when fell at last, in a race won by Vautour (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 3f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan, 3 ran.
Bishops Road (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 3rd, joined from 4th, regained lead 3 out, went clear entering straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed after last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, all out, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan beating Heathfield (10-6) by hd, 9 ran.
