Royal Kahala has been here three times and won all three. She had previous easy winner Hook Up well beaten over the trip on heavy ground last time, with Delvino almost 13 lengths back in fourth, but the former's yard should know how they stand with GAULOISE. The winner of her only start on the Flat in France, she's scored twice over timber at Thurles and though 4lb worse off with runner-up Mighty Blue for her last run she should confirm the form. Brave Way has had a break since staying on in a Grade 3 at Down Royal and this should be more her trip and though Roseys Hollow was behind Delvino at Naas she improved when stepping up to this track and trip a fortnight ago.
Royal Kahala (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer travelling well entering straight, squeezed through gap on rail after 2 out and 2nd approaching last, led run-in and drew clear closing stages, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 3f hvy in Jan beating Hook Up (11-3) by 5l, 6 ran.
The Sliding Rock 18-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, 7th halfway, mistake 3 out, 6th before 2 out, ridden and progress to 3rd before last, went 2nd run-in, no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Skyace (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Gauloise (FR) 4-5fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, good headway early straight and led after 2 out, pushed along approaching last where edged right, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m lst (1) sft in Dec beating Mighty Blue (10-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
Kapard 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outer, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and some headway early straight, 4th approaching last, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 10l behind Gauloise (10-10) at Thurles 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Brave Way (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd and no impression 2 out, disputed 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Skyace (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Castra Vetera (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Disputed lead, led at 3rd (usual 4 out), ridden and joined bypassing 2 out, headed bypassing last, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 19, 4l behind Delvino (11-9) at Naas 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Delvino (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 5th, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, not fluent last, no extra, 4th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Royal Kahala (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 3f hvy in Jan.
La Chanteuse (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 3 out, ridden from next, strongly pressed before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hvy in Jan beating Manitopark Aa (11-7) by 6l, 14 ran.
Lady Heath (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 4 out, some headway 2 out, pushed along and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 9th of 20, 29 1/4l behind Wide Receiver (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.
Roseys Hollow (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Tracked leaders on inner, led travelling well 2 out, pushed clear before last, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hvy in Jan beating Global Equity (11-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Lunar Display (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, pushed along in moderate 4th before 2 out, ridden and no impression when mistake last, no extra, 4th of 5, 29 1/4l behind Grand Roi (11-4) at Limerick 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
Mighty Blue (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd on inner halfway, slight mistake 2 out, 2nd and ridden between final 2, switched left approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Gauloise (10-10) at Thurles 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
