made all, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths lead and bad mistake last, under pressure and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, progress into 2nd before 4th, pushed along and 1 length down when fell 3 out
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, left 2nd after 3 out and soon pushed along, ridden and no impression on winner before last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, dropped to rear after 4th, pushed along halfway, detached 7th and soon pulled up
chased leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 7th, soon pushed along and no extra after next, weakened
This race has proved a money-spinner for the Hughes family, who have won it for the past four years. Sandra Hughes is represented here by ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS, who can continue the sequence. An easy winner on heavy going at Leopardstown in December, he found A Toi Phil just too strong in the closing stages of a Grade 2 back there last month but the winner has been well supported for Cheltenham. Edwulf was very unfortunate not to make a successful debut over fences at Navan in December when well clear before falling at the last and made amends when beating a huge field of maiden hurdlers at Naas. He has plenty more to offer while Nambour appeared to find three miles too far when beaten a long way in a Punchestown Grade 2 and will find this more to his liking. Our Duke overcame a couple of errors to land a Leopardstown maiden in good style and looks very progressive as does Road To Respect, who battled on strongly to land the odds in a maiden here a fortnight ago.
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Led, pressed 4 out, headed before next, 3rd before 2 out, improved to press leader briefly entering straight, ridden in 2nd and no impression before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind A Toi Phil (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Edwulf 13-8 (11-12) Prominent, soon disputed lead, led before 2nd, pressed and not fluent 2 out, hit last, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on best closing stages, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Haymount (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 25 ran.
Nambour (GER) 9-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd briefly 4 out, ridden in 3rd next, moderate 3rd from 2 out, kept on one paced, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Up For Review (11-3) at Punchestown 3m hvy in Dec.
Our Duke (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to challenge and slight mistake last, led run-in and kept on well close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Jan beating Pylonthepressure (11-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Road To Respect (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Prominent, took keen hold, on terms from 2nd, led before 3rd, pushed along and attempted to assert from between last 2, slight mistake last, soon pressed, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on best, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hvy in Feb beating Inch Rise (11-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
