chased leaders, went 2nd and mistake 4 out, hit next, not fluent and lost 2nd 2 out, outpaced between last 2, plugged on
raced keenly, held up in close 5th, headway into 2nd before 4th until 4 out, chased leaders, switched out and 2nd again before 2 out, challenged going well 2 out, led before last, 5 lengths ahead last, quickened further clear run-in, impressive
tracked leader, led after 2nd until ridden and headed before last, outpaced and no chance with winner when weakened into 3rd run-in
held up last, pushed along after 5th, no chance when mistake 4 out
bit keen tracking leaders on inside, slightly outpaced between last 2, stumbled last, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
held up in last trio, steady headway approaching 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
led until after 2nd until before 6th, towards rear and struggling 4 out, behind soon after, tailed off
Bravemansgame was beaten by subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory on his hurdling debut but has done little wrong since in rattling up a hat-trick culminating in an all-the-way win in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last time. Does He Know ran out when chasing the winner that day and has since run poorly in a handicap. Keskonrisk steps up in trip after finishing third in the Future Champions at Leopardstown while Bear Ghylls remains unbeaten despite his tendency to make mistakes. Gaillard Du Mesnil justified favouritism in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown after beating two subsequent winners in a maiden at the same track and shouldn’t be underestimated but BOB OLINGER’s career has followed a similar trajectory and he just appears to have the stronger overall form.
Bear Ghylls (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) Raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 3 out where stumbled, over 2 lengths ahead when mistake last, drew clear run-in, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Stormy Flight (11-3) by 5l, 8 ran.
Bob Olinger (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead approaching 2 out, led travelling well 2 out, soon went clear, pushed along approaching last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan beating Blue Lord (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bravemansgame (FR) 5-2jfav (11-7) Led 1st, shaken up before 2 out, drew clear from last, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec beating Star Gate (11-7) by 10l, 5 ran.
Does He Know 13-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 7th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Brinkley (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) 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, won at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Gentlemansgame (11-10) by 5l, 13 ran.
Keskonrisk (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 1st, 4th halfway, ridden after last, kept on same pace to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 12 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Optimise Prime (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, pushed along and joined 2 out, headed between last 2, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Minella Drama (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Feb.
