close up, 3rd before straight, no impression from 2 out
led, clear early, pressed from before straight, headed approaching last, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace
towards rear in 6th, struggling from 3 out, kept on same pace from between last 2
raced in 4th, not fluent and no extra under pressure from 2 out
always prominent, travelling best in 2nd before straight, gained narrow lead approaching last, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, all out
in touch in 5th, headway into 2nd before last, challenged under pressure run-in, just failed
in touch in rear, no extra from 3 out, tailed off
Gordon Elliott has had a sensational week at Cheltenham and can continue the trend with FINAL VICTORY, a winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding and the very easy debut winner over a huge field at Navan last month. Ruler Of All gained the first success of his career with a smooth success at Thurles in January and looks certain to continue on the upgrade along with Sydney Des Pictons, a convincing winner over the consistent if luckless Sicilian Secret at Navan in January. Byerley Bear landed a bumper and a maiden over timber at Cork before finding Grade 2 company too hot at Punchestown and should find this less demanding though he's up against some progressive types. He had Johnny McGeeney a long way behind at Cork but the latter has undoubtedly improved and beat a big field in good style at Naas last month.
Byerley Bear (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, pecked 2nd, some progress after 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 7, 17l behind Gagewell Flyer (11-8) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Down In Neworleans (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 8, 14l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-8) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Final Victory 5-1 (11-12) Settled in mid-division, smooth headway approaching straight, went 2nd 3 out, led after next and soon stretched clear, kept on well, very easily, won at Navan 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Feb beating Viaduct Joey (11-12) by 11l, 25 ran.
Johnny McGeeney (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge travelling well 2 out, led run-in and driven out to assert, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl in Feb beating Great Value (11-5) by 4l, 22 ran.
Ruler Of All (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 6th, smooth headway after 4 out, led after 3 out, clear before last, easily, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Little Green (9-9) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Organisedconfusion (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3 out, soon close up in 4th, left to chase leader from 2 out, left 2nd last, stayed on best to lead run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 1f chs hvy in Feb beating Mr Warbucks (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Respectueux (FR) 50-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 17th of 20, well behind Silverlord (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Sydney Des Pictons (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway into 7th approaching straight, challenged 2 out, soon led and wandered about before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in to draw clear, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Sicilian Secret (11-10) by 4l, 28 ran.
Knockcroghery (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, moderate 2nd before straight, ridden but still a chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ainm Spartacus (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl sft, 11 ran.
