mid-division, not fluent 6th and 6th halfway, closer before 2 out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra approaching last, weakened
tracked leader, disputed briefly after 4th, 2nd halfway, mistake 4 out and not fluent next, 3rd before 2 out, soon pushed along and dropped to rear entering straight, weakened
mid-division, 3rd halfway, closer approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression in 4th approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in
held up in rear, closer approaching 2 out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, weakened
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went close 2nd before 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression on winner early straight, ridden and kept on run-in, dropped to 3rd close home
led, joined briefly after 4th, pressed 2 out, asserted early straight and 5 lengths clear before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
mid-division, 5th halfway, closer 2 out where mistake, 5th and pushed along entering straight, went 3rd before last, ridden and kept on well run-in to go 2nd close home
Hollow Games lost his unbeaten tag when only third behind stable companion Ginto and today's rival GRAND JURY in a Naas Grade 1 over 2m4f. Gordon Elliott's charge made a couple of costly mistakes and should get closer to the runner-up though Henry De Bromhead's charge is improving rapidly. He easily beat Minella Cocooner in a point-to-point in 2020 and the latter's yard is also represented by Whatdeawant, who could only finish fifth in that Naas Grade 1, and Bronn, who joined the stable after landing a Ballinrobe bumper and will have found 2m too short when scrambling home in a Naas maiden hurdle. Paul Townend has chosen the latter while Minella Crooner is very much a staying type as he showed when easily landing a 3m Punchestown maiden. Eric Bloodaxe suffered his only defeat over timber when well beaten by Ginto at Navan though he'd be better suited by testing ground.
Bronn (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader after 2nd, closed before 4th, led 4 out, jumped right 3 out, wandered before 2 out where slight mistake, bumped with rival before last, ridden and kept on best run-in, won at Naas 2m mdn sft in Jan beating Killer Mode (12-0) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Eric Bloodaxe (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader, 5th after 8th, mistake 4 out, switched right and headway on inner to lead before 2 out, asserted before last, driven out, won at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec beating Freedom To Dream (11-5) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
Freedom To Dream (FR) 4-1 (11-5) In touch, 3rd after 8th, improved to 2nd before 9th, travelled well to lead entering straight, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Eric Bloodaxe (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Grand Jury (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, took closer order after 6th, 5th after 7th, closed after 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Ginto (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Hollow Games (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Towards rear, progress at 6th where slight mistake, 4th after 7th, dropped to 5th and niggled along after 3 out, slight mistake in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, ridden and kept on without threatening, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Ginto (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Minella Cocooner (IRE) 3-10fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, bumped at 3rd, went 2nd from 4th, led before 3 out, went clear travelling well 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Dec beating My Design (11-7) by 6 1/2l, 16 ran.
Minella Crooner (IRE) 2-5fav (12-0) Led early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, 3rd 3 out, travelled well to challenge after next and led early straight, drew clear before last, kept on well, easily, won at Punchestown 3m mdn sft in Jan beating Eye Van (12-0) by 11l, 11 ran.
Whatdeawant (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) In touch, mid-division before 2nd, dropped to 6th after 7th, progress after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, dropped to 4th last where not fluent, no extra in 5th closing stages, 5th of 7, 8 1/2l behind Ginto (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
