led, jumped slightly right at times, travelling well 2 out, jumped slightly right at last and pushed along, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, ridden in 2nd 2 out, closer 2nd at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
held up in last throughout, pushed along after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
Barry Geraghty has a rare ride for Willie Mullins here as DEMI SANG was purchased by J P McManus after completing a double in four-year-old races over fences at Auteuil in September. There should be much more to come from the superbly bred gelding and he can make a successful start for his new connections. Avenir D'une Vie won on heavy going at Punchestown between failing to finish there and at Leopardstown. He didn't get far in that latter event and will need to jump much better to get involved in the finish. Gwencily Berbas showed that stamina is his strongpoint when scoring over 3m1f at Roscommon so it was no surprise when he failed to fire over the minimum at Fairyhouse despite starting favourite. Winning hurdler Stand Up And Fight was also the market leader on his chasing debut at Punchestown after some smart form over hurdles but was soon beaten after showing up to three out.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Led, inclined to jump right, bad mistake and unseated rider 5th, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 6-1jfav (10-13) Mid-division, closer enough in 5th when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Nearly Nama'd (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Demi Sang (FR) (11-0) won at Auteuil 2m 1f hcp hvy in Sep beating Diyala Junior (10-3) by 4l, 10 ran.
Stand Up And Fight (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leader, left disputing at 7th, headed 4 out, soon ridden and dropped to rear next, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
