tracked leaders, 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, under pressure in 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home
held up in touch in rear, pushed along in last after 4 out, went 4th and ridden 3 out, 2nd next, 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in, dropped to 3rd close home
held up in touch in rear and pulled hard, bad mistake 6th, 4th entering straight, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out
led and disputed, led from 6th, joined again when slight mistake 4 out, led next, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in
led and disputed early, headed 6th, ridden and dropped to 5th entering straight, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd 3 out, 3rd next, soon no impression on leaders
This is a strong race for a novice event and FINE ARTICLE, runner-up to Roi Des Francs in a Grade 3 at Clonmel last month when Wrath Of Titans was 6l behind, sets the standard and his earlier Limerick victory came on heavy ground. Vedettariat is a bit of a slow burner and now looks a decent stayer in the making after his victory at Clonmel so he'll ensure the selection knows he's been in a race. Wildebeest has been working towards a first success over hurdles and though it was only over the minimum trip that he won here a couple of weeks ago he did it well and looks a very smart prospect.
Fine Article (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, 7th halfway, progress into 4th before straight, ridden to challenge before 2 out, disputed briefly before last where slight mistake, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Roi Des Francs (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 6f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Feb.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge on inner and mistake 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no extra in 3rd closing stages run-in, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Fletcher (10-11) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in 5th, not fluent 1st, not fluent 8th, pushed along in last approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on run-in,, 5th of 6, 10l behind Felix Yonger (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl sft in Feb.
Vedettariat (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd before straight, stayed on to challenge 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Feb beating Venitien De Mai (11-4) by 3l, 15 ran.
Wildebeest (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Soon mid-division, 9th from 3rd, closer order from after 4th, 6th approaching straight, headway on outer travelling smoothly 3 out, challenged and on terms last, eased ahead run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy beating Sizing Titanium (11-12) by 2l, 19 ran.
Wrath Of Titans (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, 8th halfway, progress into 5th before straight, ridden entering straight, closer in 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Roi Des Francs (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 6f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Feb.
