held up, 8th from 3rd, pushed along before straight, no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening
chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, 6th before 6th, bad mistake 3 out, no impression next until stayed on well without threatening run-in into 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, 3rd from 3rd, 4th approaching 5th where not fluent, ridden to chase winner and not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 3rd near finish
soon disputed lead, headed before 2 out, lost place and no impression when fell last
soon disputed lead, headed before 2 out where slight mistake, no extra and not fluent last
chased leaders, 6th from 3rd, 5th before 6th, effort before 2 out, soon no impression, one pace
tracked leaders, 4th from 3rd, 3rd approaching 5th, closed up approaching straight, on terms 3 out, led before 2 out, soon went on, not fluent last, stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, 7th from 3rd, pushed along into straight, soon no impression
held up in rear, slight mistakes 2nd and 4th, mistake 7th, pushed along before straight, no impression before 3 out, no extra and pulled up before 2 out
A very interesting opener in which J P McManus has the two at the top of the card. Bumper winner Gran Geste did very well to make a successful debut over timber here when catching the useful Cask Mate on the line. The going was testing that day, as it was when the owner's SPADES AND TRUMPS caught the long odds-on Paloma Blue at Punchestown and the runner-up has won subsequently. Barry Geraghty has chosen Gavin Cromwell's charge and hopefully has got it right. Gordon Elliott is also doubly represented and Stooshie finally got off the mark at Down Royal while Veneer Of Charm made a successful hurdling debut before finding the smart Mitchouka too strong at Fairyhouse where Pronounced, who had run well but was just feeling the pinch, fell at the last. None of the remaining quartet can be dismissed though all will need to find some progress.
Gran Geste (FR) 9-4 (11-9) A little keen, chased leaders, 7th approaching 5th, improved to be prominent into straight, challenged from before last, stayed on well run-in to lead on line, won at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Cask Mate (11-9) by shd, 17 ran.
Spades Are Trumps (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge run-in, narrow lead close home, all out, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Paloma Blue (11-12) by hd, 22 ran.
Stooshie (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 4 out, ridden 2 out, narrow lead last, kept on well under pressure run-in, all out, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Judgement Day (11-4) by nk, 14 ran.
Game Of War (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) A little keen, soon close up in 2nd, not fluent 7th, not fluent 2 out, no extra when not fluent last, 9th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Mind's Eye (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Made all, pushed along briefly on bend after 3rd, slight mistake 4th, jumped left 4 out, stumbled slightly 3 out, soon pressed, pushed along before 2 out where slight mistake, asserted from before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m hvy in Jan beating Wait Here (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Great Trango (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders and 4th before 5th, good progress into 2nd after 3 out and disputed lead before next, soon ridden and kept on best run-in to just prevail, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Riders Onthe Storm (11-2) by hd, 17 ran.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders on outer, not fluent 4th, 2nd before 5th, progress to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden after last and headed close home, 2nd of 17, hd behind Great Trango (11-2) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Veneer Of Charm (IRE) 11-8 (11-0) Led, joined 4 out, slight mistake next and headed, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on one pace in 2nd, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Mitchouka (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Jan.
Pronounced (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, took keen hold, not fluent at 4th, joined for 3rd 4 out, ridden in last entering straight, went moderate 3rd before last, fell at last, at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Jan.
