towards rear early, mid-division halfway, pushed along 2 out and soon no extra
rear of mid-division, mistake 4 out and dropped towards rear, pushed along and no impression after next, soon weakened
rear of mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and 8th next, some headway in 5th approaching last, kept on run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to mid-division when slight mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra
mid-division, not fluent 3rd and 4th, 5th halfway, some headway to go 3rd briefly 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 5th entering straight, no extra before last
led, pushed along after 2 out and headed last, no extra run-in and dropped to 3rd on line
always towards rear, ridden and no impression after 3 out, no extra from next
held up in rear, pushed along and no impression in 10th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before last
tracked leaders on inner, 6th halfway, switched right and headway 2 out, soon went 2nd and pushed along to lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in
towards rear, headway after 3 out and 6th next, 4th and pushed along entering straight, no impression before last, no extra run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along after next and no impression in 3rd approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in to go 2nd on line
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 2 out, soon pushed along and no extra entering straight, weakened
mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and dropped towards rear before next, weakened
Cape Gentleman, who won the Irish Cesarewitch in October, was impressive on his hurdling debut in a Punchestown maiden but takes on much better company here. Ashdale Bob completed a double when beating Fakiera in a Grade 2 at Navan but fell at the second when tackling the highest level at Naas last moth. Willie Mullins has four entries with GAILLARD DU MESNIL the pick in the market. Beaten eight lengths by today's rival Holymacapony at Punchestown, he came here in December and beat two subsequent winners in very impressive fashion and today's trip should prove ideal. The latter subsequently pulled up at Navan when obviously not right but has questions to answer. The selection's stable companion Stattler, beaten three lengths by today's rival Vanillier at Naas, did much better over 2m4f here next time but the winner was then beaten narrowly in a Limerick Grade 2.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) In rear, fell 2nd, at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Baptism Of Fire (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders early, pushed along briefly 2nd, soon off pace in mid-division, mistake 5th, slightly slow 6th and pushed along again briefly and at stages after, ridden 8th in moderate 6th, no extra from 3 out, pulled up 2 out, at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Fakiera (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, dropped to last and pushed along 4 out, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, 5th at last, ran on well inside final furlong, 2nd close home, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Ashdale Bob (11-4) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Fun Light (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Led, headed 4th, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching last, ridden and led run-in, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan beating Salt Wind (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Shadow Rider (FR) 2-5fav (11-6) Towards rear, progress to 8th after 7th, pushed along in 6th after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, won at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec beating Eye Van (11-6) by 8l, 18 ran.
Stattler (IRE) 13-8fav (12-0) Led narrowly, headed after 1st, disputed before 4 out, led before 2 out, pressed at last (normal 2 out), travelled well over 2f out, ridden and kept on well final 100 yards, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Glens Of Antrim (11-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Vanillier (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders and off pace, closer in 3rd before 7th, 4th approaching 6 out, 3rd again approaching 3 out and pushed along, pecked 2 out, soon 2nd, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Farouk D'Alene (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Cape Gentleman (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Soon prominent, 3rd after 5th, mistake 4 out, soon 4th until on terms approaching 2 out, gained narrow lead travelling smoothly approaching straight, eased away run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec beating Petibonome (11-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 11-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway before 2 out and travelled well to lead early straight, drew clear run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Mr Incredible (11-9) by 9 1/2l, 20 ran.
Ganapathi (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Waited with, off pace in 5th from 3rd, headway and pushed along from 2 out, led approaching last, headed run-in, one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Dreal Deal (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Gentlemansgame 5-4 (12-0) Prominent, a little keen, on terms before 3rd where slight mistake, soon led and clear with one rival, went on from before 3 out, stayed on strongly, very easily, won at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Mahons Glory (12-0) by 21l, 17 ran.
Holymacapony (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and weakened quickly entering straight, soon trailing, pulled up before last, at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Kalkas (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Prominent, disputed until led before 3rd, joined 2 out, ridden and led again before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Rajsalad (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
