raced mainly in 5th, bad mistake 3 out and dropped to rear, closed again before next and soon ridden in 4th, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, pushed along and dropped to rear before 2 out, soon no extra
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, improved to challenge on outer before 2 out, ridden in 3rd from last, no impression on winner and kept on into 2nd close home
chased leader in close 2nd, improved to lead 6 out, headed and dropped to 2nd before 3 out, regained lead before next and went on before last where not fluent, kept on well run-in
led, not fluent 1st, again not fluent 6 out and headed, remained close-up and regained lead before 3 out, soon headed and weakened from next
chased leaders, took closer order before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no impression run-in and dropped to 3rd close home
EX PATRIOT has only won once over timber but has been racing at a very high level including when third behind Jezki in the Grade 3 Istabraq at Tipperary. He's up against some potentially smart unexposed types here including Sandsend, an easy winner of his only start at Compiegne in March and now with Willie Mullins, as is Orion D'aubrelle, an easy winner at Strasbourg. Destin D'ajonc was an impressive winner of a three-year-old hurdle at Auteuil last October and though returning after a long break will be ready for this as will Discorama, who stayed on very strongly to snatch the spoils over 2m2f at Fairyhouse.
Indian Monsoon (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, 7th after 6th, headway to 4th 4 out, dropped to 6th 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Granny Biddy (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Destin D'Ajonc (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Oct beating Dollar Baie (10-5) by 10l, 16 ran.
Discorama (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inner, headway 3 out, went moderate 3rd entering straight, reminders after 2 out, went 2nd after last, stayed on well under hands and heels to lead on line, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec beating Blow By Blow (11-12) by ns, 25 ran.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 4-1fav (8-10) Soon chased clear leader, under pressure approaching straight, soon lost place and no impression, 9th of 16, 13 1/4l behind Wonder Laish (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Orion D'Aubrelle (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent jumping, lost position 4 out, 6th before straight, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 23l behind Project Bluebook (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Sandsend (FR) (10-5) won at Compiegne 2m 1f hvy in Mar beating Max's Spirit (10-5) by 4l, 13 ran.
