towards rear, progress on outer 11th, 4th approaching 2 out, ridden entering straight and no impression before last, weakened run-in
prominent, progress to dispute after 7th, pecked slightly 5 out, soon ridden and dropped to rear, no extra, behind and pulled up before 3 out
led, headed after 7th, mistake 9th, 4th and bad mistake 3 out, no extra after next, weakened
in rear, fell 9th
tracked leaders, progress 11th, 3rd 4 out, challenged approaching last and led run-in, kept on under pressure, no extra and headed close home
mid-division, slight mistake 8th, progress 11th and led 4 out, strongly pressed approaching last and headed run-in, under pressure and kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching last, weakened
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 7th 4 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, moderate 5th before last, no extra
tracked leader, progress to dispute after 7th, mistake 11th, headed 4 out, slight mistake 2 out and dropped to 4th, progress to challenge last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, led close home
towards rear, never a factor, 8th 4 out, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
Gordon Elliott has three entries with A Toi Phil probably the pick of them though he couldn't cut it at this level at Fairyhouse after easily beating his stable companion Jetstream Jack in a Punchestown Grade 2. Alpha Des Obeaux finished third in that former event and today's longer trip will provide him with the stamina test he requires so he is greatly respected though the winner, CONEY ISLAND (NAP) is improving fast and will also be suited the extra distance. Eddie Harty's charge is still only five and looks a very smart staying prospect so gets the vote to follow up. Willie Mullins runs Briar Hill, a Grade 1 winning hurdler who hasn't quite hit the heights so far over fences, and Bellow Mome, who looked a real tough staying type when making a winning start over fences at Thurles. Martello Tower and Our Duke were impressive winners last time and come into the reckoning in a cracking renewal.
A Toi Phil (FR) 10-3 (11-10) In rear, slight mistake 7th, pushed along in 6th 2 out and no impression approaching last, no extra, 6th of 7, 13l behind Coney Island (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Led or disputed lead, led from 5th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Coney Island (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Bellow Mome (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Close up, on terms 4 out, led next, still travelling smoothly 2 out, pushed out to assert and stayed on well from last, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Nov beating General Principle (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Briar Hill (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent at 3rd and 7th, close 3rd 3 out, ridden and disputed 2nd next, disputed 2nd at last, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without reaching winner close home, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Attribution (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Coney Island (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 7th, travelled well to lead before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec beating Anibale Fly (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Disko (FR) 13-8fav (11-3) Raced mainly in 3rd, pushed along in 4th from 2 out, no impression from last, kept on same pace into 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 12l behind A Toi Phil (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f (1) sft in Nov.
Jetstream Jack (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 2 out where mistake, soon ridden and headed, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 7l behind A Toi Phil (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f (1) sft in Nov.
Martello Tower (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, disputed 3rd from 4th, pushed along to go 2nd 3 out, on terms between last 2, led from last, strongly pressed close home, stayed on well, just held on, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Dec beating A Genie In Abottle (11-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Our Duke (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Always prominent, close 2nd 5 out, improved to dispute lead and slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Gwencily Berbas (11-12) by 11l, 14 ran.
Prince Of Scars (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Prominent early, slow jump 1st and reminders, led 2nd, ridden and joined 3 out, soon headed, dropped to 4th 2 out, 4th and left 3rd at last, no impression, 3rd of 14, 13 1/2l behind Our Duke (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
