chased leaders early, held up behind leaders from 7th, 3rd halfway, improved into 2nd approaching 3 out where fell
held up in rear early, slight mistake 6th, improved into 2nd at next, slight mistake 5 out, ridden after 4 out, 3rd approaching 3 out and left 2nd, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace
made all, asserted approaching 2 out where mistake, ridden clear before last, ran around slightly approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, eased close home
chased leaders early, held up behind leaders from 7th, 4th halfway, left 3rd 3 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
The lightly-raced AVANT TOUT ran a superb race behind his odds-on stable companion Outlander in a Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas and looks a very smart prospect. That was his first start since May and there are better things to come. Tennis Cap also represents Willie Mullins but he's held by both Nearly Nama'd and Smashing on his last two starts. The former deserves a crack at this grade after his convincing victory in the Dan Moore Memorial at Fairyhouse and he loves testing ground but it has to be Smashing who looks the main threat. A useful hurdler, he's taken very well to fences with a close third to Gilgamboa and Tullow Tank in the Ryanair at Fairyhouse in April the highlight. He had no problems scoring on his reappearance at Gowran and should ensure the selection has a battle.
Avant Tout (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Led, slight mistake 10th, pushed along into straight, pressed and pecked slightly 2 out, soon narrowly headed, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Outlander (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, led between last 2, jumped slightly left last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan beating Mozoltov (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Smashing (FR) 8-11fav (11-1) Tracked leader, ran freely, led after 3rd, not fluent 9th and 10th, headed briefly 4 out, asserted after 2 out and kept on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov beating Followmeuptocarlow (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tennis Cap (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, not fluent and slightly impeded 2nd, last and pushed along briefly 7th, not fluent next, 6th approaching straight, no impression and one pace 2 out, 4th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Nearly Nama'd (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
