held up in rear, trailing before 4th, weakened before 5 out, completely tailed off
led, joined before 3 out, narrowly headed 3 out, ridden in 2nd before next where mistake, no extra before last
tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake 3rd, slightly slow next, disputed before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, pushed along to assert after next, clear run-in, easily
NonRunner
SIR GERHARD makes his chasing debut at a relatively late stage but he hasn't had much racing though most of it has been at the highest level. A winner between the flags, he completed a hat-trick in bumpers in the 2021 championship event at Cheltenham before winning his first three starts over timber including the Ballymore at The Festival. Well below par in his final start in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, he should have few difficulties getting off the mark over fences. Largy Debut has been mainly disappointing since shocking the long odds-on Kilcruit over timber at Cork just over a year ago while Indiana Jones hasn't fulfilled early potential over fences mainly due to jumping problems. Battle Of Mirbat has never won and makes his chasing debut.
Battle Of Mirbat (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, not fluent 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden and no impression on winner when not fluent last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Run For Pat (11-12) at Listowel 3m mdn gd in Sep.
Largy Debut (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, bad mistake 1st, closer from 4th, led after 5th, jumped right 7th, joined 4 out, ridden and headed before last, soon no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Gentlemansgame (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 5f sft in Dec.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leader, progress at 4th, bumped with rival after 4 out, 3rd before 3 out, switched left in 2nd after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, no impression before last, weakened in 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Mighty Potter (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Indiana Jones (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Disputed lead, led at 2nd, increased advantage after 4 out, not fluent 3 out and reduced lead, pressed 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 9 1/2l behind Shakeytry (10-11) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Natural Ability (IRE) 200-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, weakened before 2 out, 25th of 27, dist behind High Definition (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
