prominent, led 2nd until 3rd, led 5th, headed 7th, stayed handy, lost place after 4 out, well behind after 3 out, went narrow 4th from 2 out, tailed off
not fluent in rear, blundered badly 11th then soon pulled up
held up in touch in rear, closed on outside 12th, not fluent 16th, pushed along 19th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 4th 3 out, soon behind, blundered 2 out and lost narrow 4th, tailed off
prominent, reached at 3rd and led, headed 5th, led 7th, hit 18th, ridden and headed 2 out, well held by winner flat, kept on
held up behind leaders, went 2nd 12th, challenged going well 3 out, led 2 out, drawing clear when ridden flat, pricked ears and well in control, comfortably
led until 2nd, soon lost place, hit 7th, pushed along briefly after 10th, closed 16th, 3rd and outpaced from 3 out, weakened before 2 out, blundered last
NonRunner
A very disappointing turnout for this amateur riders’ novices chase. Jamie Codd rode the winner in 2019 and 2020 but couldn’t participate last year due to restrictions. He can resurrect his recent domination on board RUN WILD FRED, who had Vanillier 10 lengths behind when second to Fury Road in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December with Ontheropes tailed off. Stattler is 2-2 over the larger obstacles but was only fourth behind Vanillier when favourite for the Albert Bartlett here last season. Pats Fancy finished tailed off that day and has only run in handicaps so far over fences while Braeside looks held on collateral form. Beatthebullet will pick up some prize money if managing to complete.
Beatthebullet (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 3rd until 5th, led 7th until not fluent 8th, not fluent next, lost place 12th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Braeside (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd early, bumped at 4th, last from 7th, 3rd 4 out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 27 3/4l behind Farouk D'Alene (11-3) at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Pats Fancy (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Tracked winner, lost 2nd briefly before 9th, led briefly as winner hit 4 out, ridden and held wen edged left between last two, 2 lengths down at the last, hung left run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Bravemansgame (11-8) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Run Wild Fred (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Close up, slightly slow 2nd, soon disputed lead, bad mistake 7 out, headed straight, one pace from under 2f out, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Fury Road (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Stattler (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, not fluent 12th, headway into 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed winner at last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure close home, won at Naas 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Jan beating Farouk D'Alene (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Vanillier (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 9th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression on leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 18 1/4l behind Stattler (11-2) at Naas 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Jan.
Ontheropes (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, mistake 5th and reminder, soon in rear, moderate 13th 4 out, ridden in moderate 10th next, kept on without threatening from next, never nearer, 5th of 18, 18l behind Longhouse Poet (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
