tracked leaders in 4th, dropped to last and pushed along 4 out, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, 5th at last, ran on well inside final furlong, 2nd close home, not trouble winner
held up in touch in 6th, went 5th 4 out, close 5th on inner 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
held up in touch in last, went 4th and pushed along 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
led, took keen hold, pushed along and joined entering straight, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, trailing when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, pulled hard, went 2nd at 4th, disputed lead entering straight, mistake and ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner in 2nd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd close home
tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 2nd 3 out, 3rd and no impression on leaders 2 out, no extra run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and weakened quickly entering straight, soon trailing, pulled up before last
Just seven runners but all of them recent winners. Lieutenant Command and Eskylane have been beaten in higher grade since scoring on their penultimate starts. The latter's yard is also represented by Fakiera, who is penalised for last month's Grade 3 victory over the course and distance. He'd earlier got up close home to beat subsequent winner Gabynako at Fairyhouse though that was over 2m. Ashdale Bob caught Wide Receiver on the run-in here last month and is certain to improve while FIGHTER ALLEN showed that stamina is his strongpoint with a victory over an extended 2m5f on heavy going at Punchestown. The latter gets the nod though the four-year-old winning point-to-pointer Holymacapony was hugely impressive on his hurdling debut on the latter track.
Fakiera (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 5 out, pushed along and no impression 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Fire Attack (11-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge 2 out where slight mistake, ridden approaching last where not fluent, led run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov beating Wide Receiver (12-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Eskylane (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Prominent, a little keen, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along from 2 out, no impression before last, no extra and one pace after, 5th of 8, 6 1/2l behind N'golo (11-7) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Fighter Allen (FR) 11-10fav (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 4th, improved to dispute lead from 2 out, led approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, reduced advantage close home, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hvy in Nov beating Lifetime Ambition (12-0) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Gabynako (FR) 4-6fav (12-0) Made all, slight mistake 5th, went on from before last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, eased close home, won at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Envious Editor (12-0) by 6 1/2l, 17 ran.
Lieutenant Command (FR) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leader, slightly hampered 1st, slight mistake 5th, 2nd halfway, 3rd and pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and mistake last, no extra run-in, 6th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Fakiera (11-4) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Holymacapony (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to lead 3 out, pushed along after next, ridden approaching last where slight mistake, drew clear run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Gaillard Du Mesnil (11-9) by 8l, 20 ran.
