led, ran freely, not fluent at 1st, 4 lengths clear after 2nd, reduced lead at 4th, headed 3 out, soon weakened quickly, eased after 2 out, completely tailed off
towards rear, 4th at 4th, dropped to rear before 3 out, pushed along in 4th before 2 out, stayed on in 3rd before last, ran on in 2nd final 150 yards, not trouble winner
in touch, 3rd at 4th, not fluent 4 out, bumped with rival after 4 out, improved to 2nd before 3 out where led narrowly, soon switched right, ridden and asserted before last where not fluent, kept on
tracked leader, progress at 4th, bumped with rival after 4 out, 3rd before 3 out, switched left in 2nd after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, no impression before last, weakened in 3rd final 150 yards
held up in rear, not fluent at 2nd, slightly detached at 4th where slight mistake, not fluent 4 out, progress in 4th before 3 out, 3rd after 3 out, weakened in 4th before last
Willie Mullins has won six of the last seven of these. Apart from finishing third in the championship bumper here last year, Sir Gerhard has done everything asked of him, two of his three victories over timber coming at Grade 1 level. His two victories over Three Stripe Life have been well and truly franked by the runner-up, who landed a Grade 1 at Aintree. The latter had earlier finished just over a length behind Mighty Potter in the Grade 1 Future Champions at Leopardstown and Gordon Elliott's charge had a mishap before the race at Cheltenham next time. DYSART DYNAMO lost his unbeaten tag in the Supreme at Cheltenham when falling three out in the race won by Constitution Hill. It's unlikely he would have beaten the winner but he was travelling equally as well and compensation awaits.
Dysart Dynamo (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-7) Raced freely, soon led, not fluent 1st, just headed when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Gatsby Grey (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Towards rear, 5th after 5th, headway and travelled well to 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, asserted after 2 out, clear last where slight mistake, kept on well, very easily, won at Naas 2m Good - Yielding in Mar beating Ballykeel (11-9) by 15l, 6 ran.
Mighty Potter (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 4th, mistake next, soon pushed along and lost place quickly, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Mid-division on outside, raced keenly, closed 4th, went 2nd next, going well 2 out, led off final bend, edged left briefly, stayed on well and well in command flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar beating Three Stripe Life (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Vina Ardanza (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway when hampered 3 out, went 3rd before last where mistake, no impression on front pair, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 19 1/4l behind Jonbon (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
