disputed lead early, left in front at 1st and made rest, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in
disputed 3rd early, left 3rd and slightly hampered at 1st, went 2nd halfway, ridden and disputed 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner when slight mistake at last, went 2nd close home
disputing lead when fell at 1st
disputed 3rd early, left 2nd and hampered at 1st, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd and no extra close home
Willie Mullins had three of the original entries and relies on PETITE PARISIENNE, who produced a brilliant run to capture the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival before flopping at Auteuil. Gwencily Berbas scored on heavy going at Auteuil then beat two much better fancied rivals to land a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse before a fine run in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham under a big weight. He has to concede 5lb to his main rival and that may just prove beyond him at this stage of the season. Hostile Fire landed a Fairyhouse maiden in January but never quite built on that while Neverushacon was beaten a long way behind two smart performers at Galway after an impressive victory at Gowran.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Prominent, every chance 2 out, one pace approaching last, 9th of 22, 6 3/4l behind Qualando (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Petite Parisienne (FR) 5-1 (10-3) 9th of 10, dist behind Blue Dragon (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f hvy in Jun.
Hostile Fire (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Took keen hold and held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, badly hampered approaching 3 out, no impression when bad mistake 2 out, 8th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Fethard Player (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Neverushacon (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, led from 4th, slight mistake 5th, joined from 6th and slight mistake 3 out, headed approaching 2 out where slight mistake, soon no impression in 3rd, one pace, 3rd of 8, 25 1/2l behind Bachasson (11-4) at Galway 2m Yielding in Jul.
