chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer 3 out, challenged next, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led before last, asserted approaching last, kept on strongly run-in
disputed early, chased leader from 3rd, disputed again approaching 3 out, led narrowly before next, ridden and pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
always behind, not fluent early, reminder after 1st, pushed along intermittently, mistake 7th, trailing before 3 out, tailed off
held up, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th after 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd last
held up towards rear, ridden into 4th 2 out, 3rd and no impression on leaders entering straight, no extra before last
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 7th, ridden and no extra before 2 out where mistake
led and disputed, led 3rd, joined approaching 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, lost place 3 out, ridden in moderate 7th next, kept on one pace straight
BOB OLINGER's second run over fences has been eagerly awaited after an impressive chasing debut at Gowran. The easy Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner has only been beaten once, narrowly by Ferny Hollow over timber at Gowran, and should enhance his Arkle credentials. He had Gaillard Du Mesnil over seven lengths back in second in the Ballymore though Willie Mullins' charge is a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles. He was a long odds-on chance on his chasing bow at Naas but could only finish third behind stable companion Capodanno, who won despite a bad mistake. Lifetime Ambition has disappointed since beating subsequent Grade 1 winner Beacon Edge on his chasing bow at Down Royal while Lieutenant Command was beaten a long way in a Limerick Grade 1 after a winning start over fences on this track.
Bob Olinger (IRE) 1-3fav (12-0) Tracked leader in close 2nd, travelled well to lead before 3 out, asserted before 2 out, not fluent at last, kept on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f sft in Nov beating Bacardys (12-0) by 6 1/2l, 18 ran.
Capodanno (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 6th halfway, some headway 5 out, tracked leaders when pecked badly 2 out, pushed along and left 4th after last, ridden and kept on well to lead close home, won at Naas 2m 3f Yielding in Dec beating Embrun Mitja (12-0) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Forged In Fire (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inner, disputed 2nd at 8th, left 2nd 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, closed on leader before next, ridden to challenge and on terms when jumped right last, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Tipperary 2m 3f Yielding in Jul beating Roi De Dubai (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 4-11fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway early straight and disputed lead briefly 2 out, 2nd and pushed along when slight mistake last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Capodanno (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Yielding in Dec.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden and no impression before last (normal 2 out), kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 25l behind Ferny Hollow (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Lieutenant Command (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Soon prominent, lost position and slight mistake 3 out, soon under pressure and no impression, weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Master Mcshee (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Soon led narrowly, headed approaching straight, dropped to 3rd and ridden over 2f out, no chance with winner in 2nd over 1f out, one paced, 2nd of 3, 20l behind Blue Lord (11-10) at Naas 2m sft in Jan.
West Cork Wildway (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Led, joined briefly 5th, pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 6f gd in Nov beating The Bosses Oscar (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
