Macs Charm initiated a hat-trick when scoring over timber here in January and makes his debut over fences as does HA D'OR. A winning bumper in France, the latter was headed in the final strides by Flame Bearer in a Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse and Grade 1 entries over Christmas suggest he's well regarded. Marvel De Cerisy has already done it over fences having beaten a decent field at Punchestown though takes on classier rivals here. Hallowed Star made all to land a Galway beginners' chase by 19 lengths and was in touch when falling four out in a Punchestown Grade 2 but Gold Cup Bailly is taking on very much better company than when scoring at Wexford and Ayr. Dunboyne took advantage of heavy ground in a Gowran handicap so some rain would aid his cause.
Gold Cup Bailly (FR) 10-3 (11-10) Jumped well, made all, going best 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Doctor Ken (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Dunboyne (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, 3rd halfway, 5th 4 out, progress travelling well to lead before 3 out, asserted before 2 out where jumped right, clear when jumped right last, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov beating Street Value (11-4) by 10l, 7 ran.
Gallyhill (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hampered 10th, 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th before next, went 3rd and no impression on leaders at last, no extra, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Marvel De Cerisy (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Hallowed Star (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st and 2nd, 4th and slight mistake 6th, fell 4 out, at Punchestown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Marvel De Cerisy (FR) 4-1jfav (11-5) Rear of mid-division, headway 9th, left 2nd at 10th, improved to lead travelling well entering straight, not fluent at last and briefly edged left, stayed on well and hung left run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Aarons Day (11-5) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Aldo The Apache (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in moderate 3rd, not fluent 8th, slight mistake 7 out, dropped to rear 4 out, no extra, slight mistake 2 out, last of 4, dist behind Kilcruit (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 3f Yielding in Nov.
Carrig Sam (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, fell 6th, at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Francin (FR) 125-1 (10-11) Rear, detached before 2nd, completely tailed off 2 out, left moderate 3rd last, kept on one pace, tailed off, 3rd of 5, dist behind Jeremys Flame (10-12) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Ha D'Or (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led entering straight, ridden and pressed before last, headed approaching last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 4l behind El Fabiolo (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Macs Charm (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and rear of mid-division after next, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
