held up in touch in last pair, ridden after 12th, outpaced 14th, weakened after 3 out
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, last from 11th, behind next, pulled up after
jumped well, tracked leader, led 2nd, shaken up flat, comfortably
held up in touch in last pair, not fluent 12th, effort from 14th, went 2nd after 3 out, driven before last, no impression on winner flat, stayed on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, ridden 13th, lost 2nd after 3 out, no impression next, weakened
Willie Mullins had three entered at the four-day stage in this but relies on BLACK HERCULES. A Grade 3 winner over this trip on heavy ground over hurdles, he made a satisfactory debut over the larger obstacles at Navan and has some fancy upcoming entries. He should be too good for Silsol receiving 3lb, though the latter's second to Seeyouatmidnight at Kelso looks better now than it did at the time. Bally Beaufort's jumping let him down in the Feltham at Kempton over Christmas but he's s stout stayer whereas there are serious stamina doubts surrounding the mare Emily Gray, though she ran well against Ma Filleule at Doncaster last month. Definitly Red had to be kept up to his work to beat modest opposition at Catterick and this is a big step up in class, though he has bags of scope.
Silsol (GER) 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 5 out, ridden after 3 out, 4 lengths down and one pace next, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Seeyouatmidnight (10-13) at Kelso 2m 7f (3) hvy in Dec.
Bally Beaufort (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Made most until headed 4th, tracked leaders, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Tea For Two (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Black Hercules (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Pecked slightly 1st, prominent, jumped well, soon 2nd, slightly impeded and left in lead 9th, asserted from 2 out, pushed out briefly run-in, stayed on well, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Sambremont (11-12) by 12l, 10 ran.
Definitly Red (IRE) 1-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led before 12th, blundered 14th, driven clear before last, kept on, well in command after, won at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan beating Looking Well (11-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
Emily Gray (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Led, hanging right from 6th, driven and headed 2 out, stayed on with every chance until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Ma Filleule (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) gs in Dec.
