soon tracked leader, lost place and not fluent 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, 4th from 4th, dropped to rear before 3 out and no impression, kept on without threatening straight into 3rd near finish
soon led, not fluent 6th, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, 3rd from 4th, not fluent next, 2nd from 4 out, pushed along in 3rd before straight, soon stumbled slightly and no extra, dropped to 4th near finish
held up, 5th from 4th, 4th and pushed along before 3 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out
in rear, improved into 3rd from 4 out, 2nd before straight, no impression from 2 out, not fluent last, one pace
Ministerforsport couldn't get over the fences in his first four starts between the flags but has since completed a five-timer, including his hurdling debut over a trip too short at Limerick. Brelade, placed in two Grade 1 races around this time last year, has been a major disappointment over fences this campaign so it's not a surprise to see him back over timber. His stable companion Poli Roi won a 2m6f maiden at Down Royal before finding Grade 2 company much too tough at Navan but this can go to DRACONIEN. Willie Mullins' French import had made a promising debut in a Grade 1 bumper on heavy going at Saint-Cloud in November 2016 and could hardly have been more impressive on his hurdling debut over this track and trip last month.
Balzac Turgot (FR) 5-6fav (11-10) Led, slight mistake 7th, pushed along straight, slight mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Fire In His Eyes (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f gd in Nov.
Our Boy Boru (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, no impression, 6th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Out Of The Loop (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Beyond The Law (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) Close up, 3rd at 6th, improved to lead before 7th, travelled well and asserted entering straight, clear 2 out, kept on well, eased run-in, very easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec beating Allardyce (11-4) by 22l, 7 ran.
Ministerforsport (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Prominent early before settling behind leaders, 3rd halfway and soon went 2nd, improved into narrow lead before 2 out and pushed along before last, pressed run-in but kept on best under pressure close home, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Celtic Rising (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Poli Roi (FR) 7-1 (11-3) In rear, slight mistake 8th, closed up to be prominent travelling smoothly straight, led 2 out where slight mistake, headed at last, weakened run-in, last of 5, 14 1/2l behind Next Destination (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Draconien (FR) 8-13fav (11-8) Soon led, slight mistake 3 out, travelling smoothly straight, asserted from 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Mighty Stowaway (11-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Brelade 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th at 3rd, progress into 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, no impression on winner before last, dropped to 3rd and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Dec.
