mid-division, closed before 2nd, challenged at 3rd, not fluent at 4th, closed 4 out, niggled along in 3rd after 3 out, dropped to 5th before 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace to 4th closing stages
led narrowly, pressed at 3rd, increased advantage at 6th, reduced lead 4 out, pushed along before 2 out where jumped right, ridden before last, asserted run-in, kept on well
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
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
tracked leader, 3rd after 3rd, slight mistake at 4th, closed 4 out, lost place after 3 out, weakened and detached before 2 out, tailed off
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
in rear, slightly detached at 2nd where not fluent, took closer order after 3rd, not fluent at 4th, no impression in 6th 2 out where slight mistake, weakened
An excellent renewal of this Grade 1 contest. Willie Mullins pitches Whatdeawant into the top level on the back of a maiden hurdle win and Henry De Bromhead does likewise with Grand Jury and this will tell us just how good these promising sorts are. Churchstonewarrior is a credit to connections but was beaten 8l at Grade 3 level last time so this represents a big ask. Gordon Elliott - interestingly - fields two of his leading novices in the contest and it's hard to choose between them. Both GINTO and Hollow Games are laden with potential and this may come down to who handles the forecast heavy ground most effectively. The former receives the narrowest of votes.
Churchstonewarrior (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, closer in 4th when slight mistake 5 out, 3rd next, ridden and no impression in 4th 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd run-in, no threat to winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Nell's Well (10-9) at Cork 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Ginto (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Eric Bloodaxe (11-5) by 11l, 5 ran.
Grand Jury (FR) 2-7fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th, pushed along in 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov beating Ardla (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 22 ran.
Hollow Games (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Disputed lead, jumped left and bumped rival at 1st, jumped right at 5th, ridden and narrow lead after 3 out, went clear at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Lunar Display (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
The Little Yank (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2 out, 17th of 21, 22 1/2l behind Futurum Regem (9-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Whatdeawant (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th when bumped 3 out, ridden in moderate 3rd next, closer 3rd at last, quickened to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Dec beating Harald Hardrad (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Angels Dawn (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In rear, 9th after 8th, headway before 3 out, 3rd after 3 out, almost on terms entering straight, every chance in 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner before last, one paced run-in, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Eric Bloodaxe (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
