made all at strong pace, clear for much, reduced advantage at last, pushed along run-in, stayed on well
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 3 out, dropped to moderate 3rd after 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, jumped right at 3rd, moderate 4th 3 out, went moderate 2nd and pushed along after 2 out, ridden and progress run-in, not trouble winner inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in moderate 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, remote 4th at last, dropped to 5th close home
always behind, mistake 3rd, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in remote 5th 3 out, no impression went remote 4th close home
The exciting prospect Great Field made all to land a Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival when last seen at the track in April last year. He’s preferred to stablemate American Tom but the committed front-runner has no easy task in testing ground after such a lengthy absence and DOCTOR PHOENIX can take advantage. Gordon Elliott’s charge showed further progress to win a Grade 3 chase at Naas last month with Alisier D'Irlande a long way back in second and both Tell Us More and American Tom well beaten. He also beat Kilcarry Bridge at Fairyhouse earlier in the year so this looks his race for the taking if Great Field is not at his best.
Great Field (FR) 9-10fav (11-10) Made all, soon went on, slight mistake 3rd, reduced lead 7th, good jump 4 out and extended lead again, slight mistake 2 out, asserted from before last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Ordinary World (11-10) by 11l, 8 ran.
Alisier D'Irlande (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Led, jumped left, mistake 4 out, headed next, ridden in moderate 3rd entering straight, regained moderate before 2nd at last, kept on without threatening easy winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Held up in last, closer in 4th at 6th, improved into 2nd travelling well entering straight, led 2 out, soon went clear, pushed along run-in, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Alisier D'Irlande (11-8) by 13l, 5 ran.
Tell Us More (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 3 out, soon briefly clear, jumped left 2 out and headed, soon ridden and weakened quickly, dropped to moderate 4th at last, no impression, 4th of 5, 33l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
American Tom (FR) 10-3 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in moderate 4th entering straight, soon no impression on leaders, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led, pushed along and headed approaching 3 out where fell, at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Feb.
