tracked leader, travelling smoothly straight, led under 2f out, asserted from 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, easily
a little keen early, soon raced in 4th, closed and wide into straight, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression, moderate 2nd final furlong, one pace
in rear, a little keen early, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression in 4th, one pace
a little keen, soon raced in 3rd, pushed along under 3f out, soon under pressure and no impression, dropped behind from 2f out, weakened
led, pushed along over 2f out, soon headed and no impression, one pace in 3rd final furlong
AVENIR D'UNE VIE looked an exciting prospect when beating Delegate at Navan and was expected to follow up at Gowran but couldn't contain New To This Town in the closing stages. The winner heads for the champion bumper at Cheltenham and is highly regarded so Willie Mullins' grey can get back on the winning trail. Tamlough Boy beat subsequent winner Blow By Blow at Punchestown and reverts back to a bumper after a slightly disappointing debut over hurdles at Gowran. The remaining trio are up against it though Virtual Insanity led for a long way on his debut here in November and should improve.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 1-2fav (12-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led 5f out, travelled well under 2f out, under pressure inside final furlong and headed final 100 yards, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind New To This Town (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan.
Tamlough Boy 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, mistake 1st, not fluent 5th, 6th and mistake 3 out, collided with rival next, ridden and no impression in 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 20, 18 1/2l behind Au Quart De Tour (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Thekingofrocknroll (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led, headed 5f out and soon dropped to rear, weakened, eased in straight, completely tailed off, last of 6, dist behind New To This Town (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan.
Ceide Fields 16-1 (11-13) In rear, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Sunni May (11-13) at Leopardstown 2m hvy in Feb.
Virtual Insanity 12-1 (11-7) Led, ridden entering straight, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Ballela Boy (11-7) at Naas 2m Yielding - Soft in Nov.
