disputed lead early, soon led, slight mistake 2nd, pressed approaching 2 out, asserted straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
soon raced in moderate 4th, pecked slightly 2nd, not fluent 5th, soon no danger, dropped to last into straight
set off behind in last, not fluent 6th, never a factor, went distant 4th into straight
disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 7th, closed up approaching 2 out, pushed along before straight and quickly no impression, 3rd and slightly impeded run-in, one pace, just failed for 2nd
soon raced in moderate 3rd, slight mistakes 3rd and 8th, closed 3 out and slight mistake, pushed along before straight, no impression and chased winner last where jumped left, one pace, just held on for 2nd
Coeur Joyeux has never won in 17 starts but has only run twice over fences and ran well at Kilbeggan earlier this month when he only succumbed on the run-in. He's taking on chasing newcomers here and one of them, ROBIN DES MANA, has always looked the type to do well over the bigger obstacles. Gordon Elliott's charge is bred for the job and though he didn't win over hurdles he reappeared after a long break to land a bumper last year so an another absence shouldn't pose a problem. Winning point-to-pointer Danboru looked a real staying type when fourth in a hunter chase at Killarney in May and the remainder have shown very little.
Coeur Joyeux (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd after last, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Rosie Alice (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f sft in Sep.
Corskeagh Express (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind The Bay Oak (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Danboru (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up early, improved to chase leaders from 5th, 3rd at 6th, 2nd 6 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, under pressure in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 4th of 8, 13l behind Sizing Solution (11-11) at Killarney 2m 6f sft in May.
Robin Des Mana (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 21, 15 1/2l behind Gunnery Sergeant (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Class Honours (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th and mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 16, 16 1/4l behind Whats The Plot (11-9) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp gd in May.
Kitty B (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent early, mistake 1st, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Court Artist (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Sep.
