raced in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, pushed along approaching straight, lost place 2 out and not fluent, 2nd again and kept on without troubling winner run-in
raced in 4th, 3rd before 4th, slight mistake 7th, lost place and not fluent 3 out, dropped to last from 2 out, kept on well into 3rd again without threatening closing stages
raced in 3rd, 4th before 4th, closed and mistake 3 out, switched right before 2 out, led last, pushed out to soon assert, stayed on well, comfortably
in rear, slight mistake 8th, closed up to be prominent travelling smoothly straight, led 2 out where slight mistake, headed at last, weakened run-in
led, headed 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
Gordon Elliott complicates matter with three entries though Cracking Smart looks best of the trio. A winning bumper in April, he hasn't really been tested in two starts over timber and will be difficult to beat. Stable-companion Poli Roi, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, has improved with each run over timber though didn't have much to beat at Down Royal, while the four-year-old Delta Work has been beaten twice at Grade 3 level. Jetz was put in his place by Samcro here last month and though that was no disgrace it's NEXT DESTINATION who gets the vote. He did well enough in bumpers but it was his victory on his hurdling debut here last month that really caught the eye and he's likely to continue on an upward curve.
Cracking Smart (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked clear leader, closer in 2nd before 8th, travelled well to lead before 3 out, joined 3 out where not fluent, led narrowly 2 out where slight mistake, asserted before last where not fluent, kept on well, comfortably, won at Cork 3m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Robin Des Foret (11-4) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
Jetz (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 5th, took keen hold, short of room briefly on inner after 3 out, ridden in 3rd and mistake 2 out, moderate 2nd before last, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Samcro (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Next Destination (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, closer 4th on outer 2 out, pushed along to lead approaching last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, easily, impressive, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Someday (11-12) by 13l, 12 ran.
Poli Roi (FR) 1-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd from 6th, improved to dispute 2 out, soon narrow lead travelling well, pushed out to assert before last, pecked last, ridden run-in, ran around slightly and flashed tail, kept on strongly close home, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn sft in Nov beating Asbury Boss (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Half The Odds (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 16 1/2l behind Samcro (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Delta Work (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, moderate 3rd before last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 12 3/4l behind Samcro (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
