After fair runs at Navan and Leopardstown this season, THE CHURCH GATE has his sights lowered. He was in good form around this time last year and Oakley Brown’s claim is a plus. Howaya Aoife was an early casualty at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, in a race in which The Reaping Race finished third and Nicole's Milan was fourth, but could easily bounce back here with a clear round. He beat Tokyo Getaway here in November but the less-exposed runner-up is 2lb better off and should turn the tables having since found only one too good again over fences at Tramore.
The Church Gate (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, 7th at 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, soon on terms, led from 2 out, headed before last, no extra and one pace after, 5th of 23, 9 1/4l behind Dalton Highway (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Tokyo Getaway (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along into 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, left 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out, 2nd and veered left before last, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 7 1/2l behind Three Is Company (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec.
Toushan (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Waited with, slightly impeded 2nd, 11th from 7th, no extra after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Trickey Trix (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, dropped to rear of mid-division at halfway, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 8th of 13, dist behind Goulane Jessie (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Howaya Aoife (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, fell 2nd, at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Nicole's Milan (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden in moderate 9th entering straight, moderate 6th 2 out, kept on one paced in moderate 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 8 3/4l behind Lee Valley Legacy (10-0) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Castlehume Gold (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Waited with, slight mistake 1st, 6th from 3rd, not go with leaders approaching 11th where left moderate 4th and slightly impeded, closed from before straight, in touch in 3rd when fell last, at Leopardstown 2m 5f sft in Mar.
Jaunty Warrior 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, moderate 11th 4 out, soon weakened, completely tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Opposites Attract (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
The Horsechesnut (IRE) 22-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, slow 8th, lost place after 5 out, pulled up after next, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
The Reaping Race (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division on inner, slight mistake 6th and briefly pushed along, ridden 4 out, moderate 8th entering straight, went moderate 5th at last, kept on without threatening in moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Lee Valley Legacy (10-0) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Mystic Embarr (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, hampered at 1st, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
The Grey Guy (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, 9th after 6th, no impression and weakened before 2 out, 11th of 13, 25 3/4l behind Northern Love (10-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
