tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd when not fluent at 9th, went 2nd travelling well before 2 out, ridden to dispute lead at last, led narrowly under hands and heels inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
held up in touch in 5th, mistake 6th, still in touch in 5th when fell at 9th
held up in last, bad mistake and fell at 5th
led, headed 5th, not fluent 7th, disputed lead again 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, moderate 4th at last, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, took keen hold, went 2nd at 4th, led at 5th, joined 10th, led again 2 out and soon ridden, joined at last, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 4th, 4th from 8th, ridden along in 4th and no impression on leaders 3 out, went moderate 3rd at last, no extra
This looks a very strong line-up for a Grade 3. Willie Mullins has two entries with Paul Townend choosing HA D'OR over Glengouly. The former was placed twice in Grade 2's over timber but looks like being a better chaser if his debut victory at Fairyhouse is a guide. The latter had some smart form over timber and made all for a comfortable chasing debut success at Thurles. Impervious, a Grade 3 winner over timber, has a penalty for a convincing Grade 2 success at Cork and goes for a hat-trick while winning bumper and hurdler Gracchus De Balme was cruising along when falling five out on his chasing debut here in November. Journey With Me had Minella Crooner three lengths behind over timber at Leopardstown just over a year ago and both are expected to take high order amongst this year's crop of novice chasers.
Impervious (IRE) 13-8 (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 1st and 8th, strongly challenged leader before last where led narrowly, ran on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Dinoblue (10-13) by 3l, 5 ran.
Glengouly (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Made all, not fluent 6th, pressed from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well and stretched clear run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Dec beating Telmesomethinggirl (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Gracchus De Balme (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Led, took keen hold, fell 10th, at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Ha D'Or (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Made all, asserted early straight, wandered approaching last, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding - Soft in Dec beating The Goffer (11-7) by 11l, 8 ran.
Journey With Me (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 2nd, led briefly 7th, headed next, led travelling well approaching 2 out, ridden before last, tired jump and mistake at last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Brides Hill (11-5) by 13l, 8 ran.
Minella Crooner (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Led, joined from 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, rallied to dispute lead again inside final furlong, led narrowly close home, stayed on well, all out, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Dec beating I Am Maximus (11-12) by shd, 7 ran.
Francin (FR) 80-1 (11-2) Towards rear, left 3rd and badly hampered at 4th, soon detached, not fluent in moderate 3rd at 6th, no impression 2 out, one paced, 3rd of 5, 26 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-8) at Naas 2m sft in Jan.
