chased leaders, mainly 3rd, improved to challenge 3 out, led 2 out, asserted before last where slight mistake, ridden and kept on well run-in
led 1st, slight mistake 8th and pressed, slight mistake and headed 3 out, ridden in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, kept on into 2nd run-in, not reach winner
led, headed 1st and chased leader, slight mistakes 3rd, 4th and 5th, close up and pressed leader 8th, slight mistake 4, led 3 out and soon strongly pressed, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra before last, dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on same pace
held up in rear, slight mistake 1st, closer before straight, ridden 3 out and no impression
held up behind leaders and well off pace in 4th, closer before straight, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
Alelchi Inois won his first five races over fences including two Grade 3's, all on quick ground, before stepping up in class and disappointing on much softer going. He's been given a long break and Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Indevan, another Grade 3 winner over fences and certain to be better for last month's run at Punchestown, his first since last November. Both of the Mullins entries will be back over the bigger obstacles before too long and BAYAN could have their measure. Gordon Elliott's charge won a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Ascot in December and though not quite up to that level subsequently the quick ground here should be in his favour.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 7th and ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Valseur Lido (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Nov, 13 ran.
Bayan (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Chased leader in share of 2nd, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, dropped to 3rd after 4 out, ridden before 2 out and briefly went 2nd, 3rd after 2 out, not fluent last and kept on run-in without matching front two, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Rawnaq (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl gd in Jun.
Indevan 9-2 (11-7) Held up, 9th after 2nd, mistake 7th, detached and not fluent 5 out, pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression, not fluent 3 out, no extra straight,, 7th of 10, 19l behind Savello (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs 0-150 gd in Jun.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Soon mid-division, 8th after 3rd, pecked slightly 6 out, dropped to last 4 out and not fluent, soon eased, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gentleman Duke (9-10) at Cork 2m hcap ch in Oct, 11 ran.
Collen Beag (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Raced mainly in 6th, closer in 5th after 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, no impression run-in and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Queen Alphabet (11-3) at Down Royal 2m hdl gd in Jun.
