led, pressed briefly 5th, headed 5 out, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, challenged briefly 5th, improved to lead 5 out, asserted after 4 out, clear next, easily
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace
held up behind leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th, pecked badly 8th, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, slight mistake 2 out
Val De Ferbet improved as last season progressed and his victory over A Toi Phil in a Cork Grade 3 in April was a first-class effort. He ran poorly on his reappearance but has since had a run on the Flat to put him straight. BACHASSON (NAP), a Grade 3 winner over hurdles, fell on his chasing debut but ended his campaign in February with a comfortable victory on testing ground at Gowran. With conditions in his favour he can take this before heading for better things. Gordon Elliott has two entries with Jack Kennedy on board Lieutenant Colonel, a smart performer on his day but who has never really fulfilled early promise. Stable companion Charmix had some decent form for Harry Fry and a recent run over hurdles will have helped his cause though he'll need to find more. Apache Stronghold had some excellent form in novice company over hurdles and fences including a Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown so if he's ready after a very long break he would have every chance.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 9-2 (9-11) Soon led and went on, reduced lead 5f out, joined over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Art Of Security (9-11) at Navan 1m 5f mdn hvy in Oct.
Bachasson (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Prominent, soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 6th, on terms from next, led 8th, joined from 5 out, led again from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Feb beating General Principle (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 13 ran.
Charmix (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, dropped off leaders before 5 out, no extra before 3 out, weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Monksland (11-0) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Apache Stronghold (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) In rear, closed 2 out where slight mistake, disputed 3rd at last and no impression, kept on, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Valseur Lido (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Lieutenant Colonel 6-1 (11-0) Close up in 2nd and disputed at times, slight mistake 7th and soon dropped to 3rd, 2nd before 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression on leaders 2 out, kept on one pace, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Monksland (11-0) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
