raced in 3rd early, a little keen, soon 2nd, pushed along and dropped to 3rd again approaching straight, no extra and slight mistake 2 out, mistake and unseated rider last
made all, asserted approaching straight, slight mistakes last 2, stayed on strongly, very easily
raced in 2nd early, soon 3rd, pushed along briefly 7th, headway from 4 out, pushed along again and went 2nd approaching straight and no impression, one pace
waited with in rear, pushed along briefly from 4th, no impression from before 4 out, left distant 3rd from last
Willie Mullins has won the last five of these and looks to have the answer with ENERGUMENE, who had to miss Cheltenham through injury but looked a high-class performer when landing the Irish Arkle by 10 lengths from smart stable companion Franco De Port with Embittered, who was engaged here yesterday, beaten 23 lengths. The selection had earlier beaten Captain Guinness by over eight lengths in a Naas novices' event though the latter was still in contention when falling two out in the Irish Arkle. Janidil beat Franco De Port just over four lengths in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse and looks the one to take advantage if the selection doesn't come up to scratch.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Loose briefly in parade ring, edgy, mounted in walkway, raced keenly, pressed leader from 2nd, led briefly 5th, led 7th (water), headed 10th, chased leader, tried to keep eventual 3rd in a pocket briefly before 2 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd close home, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Shishkin (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Energumene (FR) 5-6fav (11-12) Made all, travelling well and 3 lengths lead after 2 out, drew clear run-in, stayed on well, very easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb beating Franco De Port (11-12) by 10l, 9 ran.
Janidil (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, a little keen, 5th halfway, close 4th when switched right approaching 3 out, switched left after 3 out and pushed along to challenge, on terms 2 out and soon ridden to lead, 4 length lead last, kept on well, eased close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr beating Franco De Port (11-12) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Zarkareva (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ran freely, slight mistake 6 out, in rear and mistake 3 out, no extra after next and eased run-in, last of 5, 23 1/4l behind Elimay (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f lst (1) Yielding in Apr.
Embittered (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, fell 9th, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
