prominent, mainly 2nd, disputed lead at times, slight mistake 4 out, slight mistake 2 out and under pressure, left in lead from last, stayed on best after
waited with, soon raced in 4th, some slight mistakes, mistake 6 out, 3rd from next, closed 4 out, on terms before 3 out, soon narrow leader, under pressure from 2 out, pecked badly last and headed, no extra and one pace after
led, disputed lead at times, headed before 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra
prominent, soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, pushed along 5 out and dropped to 4th, soon no impression, weakened and pulled up straight
waited with, soon detached in last, reminders after 3rd, pushed along at stages after and never a factor, pulled up 5 out
Miss Pernickety was originally in the re-routed Grade 3 hurdle later and has a slightly better chance here, though she ran poorly at Naas last time. COKO BEACH was beaten a long way when runner-up to Espanito Bello on the latter track and then finished a close third behind Forza Milan at Fairyhouse. However, it was a completely different matter when stepped up to 3m1f in the Thyestes at Gowran where, in first-time blinkers, he jumped superbly and had plenty in hand at the finish. Mr Hendricks hadn't really showed much over fences before a battling victory over the course and distance but will need to improve again.
Coko Beach (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan beating Run Wild Fred (10-4) by 4l, 18 ran.
Espanito Bello (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into close 2nd travelling well entering straight, pushed along and led bypassing 2 out, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Naas 2m 3f hvy in Dec beating Coko Beach (12-0) by 18l, 10 ran.
Forza Milan (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders early, soon towards rear, 7th after 8th, 6th and pushed along before straight, soon no impression, moderate 4th and bad mistake last and almost unseated rider, kept on same pace run-in for 4th, 4th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Eklat De Rire (11-2) at Naas 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Mr Hendricks (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress between horses to dispute before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and edged left before last, 2 length lead last, kept on well, reduced margin close home, won at Navan 3m hvy in Jan beating Lord Royal (12-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Miss Pernickety (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Waited with in rear, slightly slow 5th and pushed along briefly and at stages after, reminders after 7th, no danger 6 out, bad mistake 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Naas 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
