tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along and no impression in 6th entering straight, weakened, completely tailed off
always in rear, pushed along 5f out and detached approaching straight, weakened, completely tailed off
led after 1f, asserted 2f out and ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, comfortably
held up towards rear in 7th, progress in 5th entering straight and 3rd 2f out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, no extra from over 1f out
tracked leaders in 6th, pushed along in 7th 4f out and detached before straight, weakened, completely tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 2nd entering straight and dropped to 4th 2f out, under pressure and soon no extra
led early and tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along entering straight and soon dropped to 5th, no extra under 2f out
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 2f out but soon no impression on winner, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
Cillian's Return has gradually improved and gave supporters of the odds-on Black Hercules a fright at Punchestown. She'll be very difficult to beat though may be up against a potentially useful newcomer in VIGIL. Dermot Weld's charge is a son of Dansili out of a full sister to Yeats so has plenty to live up to and will hopefully be good enough. Gordon Elliott's pair Drunken Counsel and Sheemore Lad haven't shown much while Mick Spadoun has a fine chasing pedigree and will probably be seen to better effect later.
Calau (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Always behind, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, last of 11, 25l behind Mr Boss Man (11-7) at Punchestown 2m N H flat in Nov.
Texas Ray (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Dusty Melody.
Cillian's Return (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 4f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, soon under pressure in 3rd, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Black Hercules (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf in Dec.
Drunken Counsel (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 16th 4 out, improved into 7th and ridden 2 out, no extra, 8th of 30, 26l behind Vautour (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Dec.
Ekbaal Red Ransom gelding out of Tamazug.
Mick Spadoun (IRE) Spadoun gelding out of Mick Monika.
Sheemore Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leader in 5th, ridden in 7th and no impression on clear leader entering straight, no extra from 2f out, last of 9, 20l behind Value At Risk (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf in Dec.
Vigil (IRE) Dansili gelding out of Magnolia Lane.
