made all, not fluent 2 out, pressed and decisive advantage from last, stayed on well run-in, all out
in rear, niggled along at stages, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out
prominent, mainly 2nd, no impression under pressure in 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace
waited with, swished tail, ridden in 4th approaching 2 out, closed approaching last where slight mistake, stayed on well under pressure closing stages, just failed
tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last
waited with, 5th before 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last
Patrick Mullins was on board when Local Celebrity easily beat a huge field of maidens at Navan in December and retains the ride with Ruby Walsh on board stablemate Tango Banbou, a 50/1 winner at Gowran in March before floundering in heavy going at Punchestown. Spring Hawk showed promise in a couple of starts over timber but one career success in 28 starts is off-putting. Thegondolier hasn't quite progressed as anticipated after landing a Thurles maiden in October so this looks destined for HIS EXCELLENCY. Gordon Elliott's charge has been racing at a much higher level than this in juvenile events after beating One Cool Shabra in a Leopardstown Grade 2 in December and his overall form should be enough to get back on the winning trail.
Local Celebrity (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped right, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, comfortably, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl in Dec beating Fair Of Cappamore (11-12) by 10l, 25 ran.
Tango Banbou (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Led, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Oscara Dara (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl hvy in Apr, 11 ran.
Audrelles Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lookoutnow (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-95 in Dec, 21 ran.
His Excellency (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Well off pace towards rear, some headway from 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 9th of 13, 22l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Thegondolier (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened, 6th of 10, well behind Loch Ard (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Apr.
Spring Hawk (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, headway into 3rd 3 out where mistake, ridden before 2 out, kept on from before last, 2nd run-in, just held 2nd close home, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Annie Other (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m hdl gd in Sep.
Ahyaknowyerself (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, close up and almost on terms 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 6th of 22, 15l behind Simon Gray (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl gd in Apr.