rear of mid-division, never a factor, no threat from 4 out, kept on one pace in straight
towards rear, never a factor, some headway after halfway and moderate 12th entering straight, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, mistake 4th, reminders in rear of mid-division after 5th, soon no extra, weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th and dropped to rear of mid-division halfway, no extra, weakened approaching straight, tailed off
disputed lead, headed after 3rd, led after 3 out, ridden after next, under pressure and kept on run-in, no extra and headed closing stages
towards rear, never a factor, some headway approaching straight, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, pecked slightly 4th, headway travelling well to challenge 2 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in to lead closing stages
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3 out and soon carried right, pushed along in 5th entering straight, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, 10th 4 out, no impression entering straight and no extra from 2 out
disputed lead and led after 3rd, slight mistake 3 out and headed, pushed along approaching next, 4th and ridden before last, kept on one pace, no impression closing stages
tracked leaders, 4th and ridden entering straight, under pressure in 3rd and slight mistake last, kept on one pace run-in, no impression closing stages
tracked leaders, slightly hampered 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 7th next, no extra from before last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, no threat from 3 out
tracked leaders, 7th 4 out, pushed along and no impression after next, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, no extra 4 out and soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway early straight and 6th when slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and close up when slight mistake last, no extra run-in
rear of mid-division, 11th 4 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace after 2 out, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor, no threat from 4 out, tailed off
rear of mid-division, some headway after halfway and 9th 4 out, no impression 2 out, no extra
FACE THE FACTS, a Listed winner for John Gosden, has been odds-on for both starts over hurdles but been found wanting. He gets another chance though his stable also run Defy De Mee, who found 2m on the short side at Leopardstown after a much better run over an extra 2f at Fairyhouse. Espanito Bello is interesting having justified strong support in a bumper here in January while winning bumper Momus keeps running into decent opposition, though that could be the case again here. Hotel Du Nord won a point-to-point on heavy ground so could do with some rain.
Air Gold (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear and a little keen, pushed along over 5f out, soon no impression, one pace approaching straight, 8th of 11, dist behind Neptune (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Ballyboy Bridge (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 9th entering straight, no impression from 2f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Behind The Curtain (11-12) at Cork 2m sft in Jan.
Big Tommy (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Cousin Jen.
Bowban 66-1 (11-1) In rear, went moderate 10th entering straight, no impression, 8th of 14, dist behind Getaway John (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn gd in Jan.
Briggitie's Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Twrds rr, 5th 1/2way, went 3rd 4out, wo next, hdd early str, drpd to 3rd bef last, ko smepce to line, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Three Kings (11-11) at Tyrella 3m mdn gf in Jan.
Defy De Mee (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Led, edged right before 2nd, jumped slightly right next, joined 5th, slight mistake 3 out, headed next, weakened straight, 5th of 18, 27 3/4l behind City Island (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
Dont Go Yet (IRE) Fruits Of Love gelding out of Limestream.
Espanito Bello (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Made virtually all, joined briefly halfway, pushed along over 1f out, stayed on well under hands and heels final furlong, reduced advantage close home, comfortably, won at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Killacolla (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Face The Facts (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd 3 out, pushed along to lead after 2 out, joined and ridden approaching last, headed at last, weakened run-in, 5th of 29, 5 1/2l behind Moratorium (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Hit The Tar 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, never a factor, 24th of 29, dist behind Moratorium (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Hotel Du Nord (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3rd and headed, 2nd halfway, headway to briefly dispute 2 out, pushed along entering straight and no extra approaching last, weakened, 5th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Castlebawn West (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
Momus (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Raced in 3rd early, slight mistake 2nd, soon 4th, 3rd again approaching straight, no impression from after 2 out, 2nd and kept on without troubling winner run-in, 2nd of 23, 6l behind All For Joy (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn gd in Feb.
Myth Buster (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Mid-division on inner, not fluent at 4th, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 8 1/2l behind Getaway John (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn gd in Jan.
Scanimax (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Held up, 11th after halfway, pushed along 6f out, no impression 5f out, weakened, completely tailed off, last of 12, dist behind First Approach (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Table The Motion 100-1 (11-11) Raced in 19th early, one pace from 3 out, 17th of 23, dist behind All For Joy (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn gd in Feb.
The Grey Knight (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up, 18th from 3rd, no impression from before straight, pulled up 3 out, at Navan 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Ujumpthelastuwin 100-1 (11-13) Led, joined 6f out, headed 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Dinny Lacey (11-13) at Punchestown 2m gd in Feb.
Unexpected Depth (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Towards rear, closer in moderate 12th 3 out, kept on without threatening, never a factor, 9th of 20, 32l behind Take Revenge (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn gd in Feb.
Urban Cruiser (IRE) 100-1 (11-11) Waited with, slight mistake 1st, impeded 2nd, 14th after 3rd, slight mistake 6th and no danger, tailed off, 15th of 17, dist behind Rakhine State (11-12) at Clonmel 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Feb.
Fair Minded (IRE) Flemensfirth M out of Miss Sarenne.
The Kitchenmecanic (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Mid-div, 5th 1/2way, mstk 4out & rdn, ev ch in 1l 4th appr str, wknd qckly early str, pu bef 2out, at Tinahely 3m mdn gs in Feb.
