not fluent 4th, 5th from 6th, slightly hampered 4 out, disputed moderate 3rd before straight, no impression and mistake 3 out,
soon tracked leader, 3rd when fell 4 out
led, joined from 4 out, headed from 3 out, dropped to 3rd from next, no extra
slight mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, detached from 6th, pulled up 8th
soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, a little keen, slight mistake 4th, 4th from 6th, hampered 4 out, disputed moderate 3rd before straight, not fluent 2 out, soon chased winner, not fluent last, one pace
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 2nd and 3rd, reminder 4th, dropped to 6th from 6th, not fluent 7th, slight mistake 10th, slightly hampered 4 out and no impression, no extra after
soon behind, slight mistake 5th and reminder, pulled up before 9th
took keen hold, slight mistake 2nd, 7th from 6th, pushed along 10th, mistake and hampered 4 out, no impression after, mistake 3 out
soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 6th, on terms from 4 out, led from 3 out, asserted between last 2, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
Fire In His Eyes won a couple of minor races over hurdles in the autumn before a poor run in a Navan handicap and makes his debut over regulation fences. Baily Moon looked quite promising in his first two starts over fences but ran poorly later while Red Giant, who was in fine form over timber last summer, has been well beaten in all three starts over fences, though in better company. Clonalig House had been running reasonably well over hurdles before making his debut over the bigger obstacles at Fairyhouse in January where he was in touch for a long way before weakening. BALBIR DU MATHAN has had plenty of experience and, though not doing as well as expected, his overall form against stronger opposition gives him the edge.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, 9th from 5th, slightly slow 4 out, 7th approaching straight, no extra from 3 out, 7th of 11, dist behind Champagne Harmony (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Apr.
Baily Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, under pressure from 4 out and no impression, bad mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 3m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Soon disputed lead, led from 3rd, joined briefly 10th, headed from 2 out, no extra and one pace from last, 3rd of 11, 7 3/4l behind Champagne Harmony (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Apr.
Brought Joe Home (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always rear, never a factor, not fluent 1st, slight mistake 4th, ridden and detached after next, pulled up before 4 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.
Clonalig House (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Soon prominent, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, no extra from before straight, 3rd of 11, 35l behind Ballyoisin (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f sft in Jan.
Fire In His Eyes (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 6th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Navan 2m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Mount Oliver (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Towards rear, fell 7th, at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Red Giant (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 14, dist behind Edwulf (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Static Jack (IRE) 11-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, 9th and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, pulled up before 2 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
