led until approaching 4th, remained prominent, under pressure after 3 out, soon no impression, not pace of winner
settled in touch, jumped well throughout, chased leaders 5 out, smooth headway on inside to lead before 2 out, quickened clear approaching last, ran on strongly, impressive
prominent, led approaching 4th, headed 6th, lost place next, soon struggling and detatched, tailed off from 4 out
tracked leader, led 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, jumped slowly 9th, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Ballinhassig is hard to fancy in this grade but the other quartet all have reasonable claims. GIFT OF DGAB has made the trip over from County Meath and was impressive in scoring by 17 lengths on his chasing bow at Limerick. Tony Martin's seven-year-old can follow up here, though Hereford winner Invictus already looks as if he'll make a better chaser than hurdler. Indian Daudaie was highly tried over hurdles last season and gets a handy weight-for-age allowance. He disappointed on his reappearance at Haydock, however, while Maringo Bay returns from a break and may be better suited by longer trips over fences.
Gift Of Dgab (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, in command from early straight, jumped low final 2 fences, well clear last and eased right down closing stages, very easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs gd in Nov beating The Engineer (11-12) by 17l, 13 ran.
Invictus (IRE) 5-4fav (10-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, hampered and went 2nd 10th, hit 13th, led 3 out, came clear from next, easily, won at Hereford 2m 5f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov beating Sherwani Wolf (10-5) by 11l, 7 ran.
Ballinhassig (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Raced wide, chased leading duo, ridden before 13th, lost 3rd and weakened next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Alderluck (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Maringo Bay (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th, not fluent 4th, jumped slowly and lost place 8th, soon ridden and weakened, blundered 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Spirit Son (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Indian Daudaie (FR) 5-2fav (10-9) Mid-division on outside, outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 27l behind Any Given Day (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
