a little keen, prominent, 2nd after 2nd, switched right early straight, soon pushed along, challenged 2 out, not fluent last, one pace run-in
prominent, 3rd after 2nd, closed and on terms straight, gained narrow lead last and slight mistake, soon headed, rallied well, just failed
led, joined straight, narrowly headed last, soon regained lead, kept on well run-in to just hold on
a little keen, soon tracked leaders, 4th after 2nd, effort straight, slight mistake last, one pace run-in
waited with, 7th after 2nd, closed up from 4th to be prominent, slight mistake 3 out, one pace between last 2
a little keen, soon chased leaders, 5th after 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, soon no extra
waited with, a little keen, 8th after 2nd, one pace from between last 2, slight mistake last
waited with in rear, pushed along at stages from 4th, no impression straight, slight mistake 2 out, one pace
waited with, 6th after 2nd, one pace from between last 2, slight mistake last
Andy Dufresne has a penalty to carry for his victory in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. His only defeat came against the smart Latest Exhibition at Navan but he's up against some potentially useful types here. His stable companions Grangeclare Native, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, and the hugely-expensive Fighter Allen, are unexposed types receiving weight though Willie Mullins could hold the answer with MT LEINSTER. An easy winner at Leopardstown, he couldn't match strides with two very useful performers in a Grade 1 on the same track next time but the 6lb he receives from the top weight can swing things his way. Exit Poll was a long way behind the selection at Leopardstown but Beacon Edge made a very impressive hurdling debut at Punchestown.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) Raced in 2nd, 3rd after 3rd, 2nd again approaching 5th, pushed along approaching straight, on terms before last, gained narrow lead and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Captain Guinness (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, 3rd approaching halfway, closed up and on terms 3 out, slight mistake last where left clear and slightly impeded, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Mystery Stowaway (11-5) by 10l, 19 ran.
Jason The Militant (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and dropped to 5th 3 out, disputed remote 4th 2 out, dropped to 5th entering straight, weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Asterion Forlonge (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Mt Leinster (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, slight mistake 4th, pushed along in 3rd and mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders, 3rd of 7, 13 1/2l behind Asterion Forlonge (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Pakens Rock (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead approaching straight, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m hcp Yielding in Jan beating Polished Steel (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Department Of War (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, led run-in and kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn sft in Jan beating Port Stanley (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 19 ran.
Fighter Allen (FR) (9-10) won at Le Lion D'angers 1m 4f gs in May beating Fourbi (9-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Grangeclare Native (IRE) 6-4 (11-9) Prominent, soon 2nd, closed up under 4f out, soon on terms, edged left 1 1/2f out, narrowly headed 1f out, rallied and kept on well to lead 50yds out, won at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec beating Jungle Junction (11-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tiger Tap Tap (GER) 7-1 (10-10) Prominent, disputed lead from 2nd, ridden bypassing 2 out, headed entering straight, weakened quickly, 18th of 22, 27 3/4l behind Thosedaysaregone (10-1) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Feb.
Exit Poll (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Raced in 3rd early, on terms after 3rd, soon led, joined 3 out and slight mistake, soon led again, pressed 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Jan beating Jon Snow (11-10) by 2l, 25 ran.
