chased leaders early, 2nd before 3rd, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
mistake and unseated rider 1st
held up, 5th halfway, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into 3rd before last, no impression on leaders, mistake last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, pecked 2nd, 3rd halfway, mistake 3 out, 4th when bad blunder 2 out, soon eased and pulled up
held up, 4th halfway, closer and mistake 3 out, improved to challenge next, soon disputed, ridden before last, slight mistake last, kept on run-in, held in 2nd closing stages
led, pressed 2 out, soon joined, pushed along approaching last where mistake and pecked, ridden and kept on best run-in, edged ahead closing stages
soon held up, slight mistake 2nd, towards rear and hampered next, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra in 5th before last where unseated rider
This looks a straight match between MELON and City Island and the former's experience over fences may just count. Willie Mullins' very smart hurdler couldn't quite get to the high-class recruit Fakir D'Oudairies on his chasing bow at Navan but was conceding 8lb. He jumped well which may just be enough to see off Martin Brassil's stable star, who produced an outstanding display to beat Champ in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and was nowhere near his best at Punchestown. Cappuccimix will have benefited from his chasing bow at Navan but needs much more while Sizing Pottsie will need to be something special to land this on his debut over fences.
Antey (GER) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, slight mistake 10th, mistake next, 8th and not fluent 3 out, no impression, 9th of 17, 27 1/4l behind Faugheen (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Capuccimix (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, moderate 5th from 3rd, slightly impeded 7th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, closed up and effort next, no impression and one pace from before last, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Cash Back (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f sft in Nov.
Chosen Mate (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 5th, some headway into 10th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 12th of 15, 34l behind Janidil (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
City Island (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) Mid-division on outer, progress into 4th 2 out, soon ridden on outer, no impression straight, 6th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Reserve Tank (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Chased leader, not fluent at 3rd, 3rd after 4th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and dropped to 4th before last, weakened in 5th run-in, 5th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Drop The Anchor (10-3) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Melon 9-10fav (11-12) Always prominent, disputed lead briefly at 3rd, headed 4th and chased winner throughout thereafter, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-4) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Soon raced in 2nd, effort straight, slight mistake 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 23, 8 3/4l behind Captain Guinness (11-9) at Navan 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Valdieu (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Well off pace in 4th from early, left moderate 3rd from 3 out and no danger, 2nd soon after next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 18l behind Dunvegan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec.
