made all, ridden clear after 2 out, not fluent last, strongly pressed closing stages, kept on well
held up in rear, pecked 2nd, some progress after 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders in 5th, still travelling well after 2 out, 4th straight, moderate 2nd approaching last, ran on strongly under pressure, just failed
held up in 6th, ridden 3 out, no extra from next
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent jumping, ridden before 2 out, no impression, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, smooth headway after 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
Gagewell Flyer appeared to enjoy stepping up to 2m4f when landing a Grade 2 at Naas but this front-runner has no problems with today's trip. Byerley Bear has won a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Cork and will need to step up a gear while Tornedo Shay was slightly disappointing in a Listed contest at Naas after looking a very nice prospect at Gowran. BIG GAME HUNTER gets all the allowances and it's time for him to deliver. Mouse Morris' charge ran a cracking race behind Rick and Blackstairmountain over 2m4f here last time and can get the better of another with the minimum weight, the much improved Joe Smooth.
Gagewell Flyer (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Made all, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft beating Fists Of Fury (11-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Byerley Bear (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders in 6th, not fluent 3rd, good headway into 3rd entering straight, 2nd 2 out and soon challenged, led at last and kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft beating King Of The Refs (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Earlson Gray (FR) (11-4) 9th of 10, 13l behind Bollywood (10-11) at Lyon-parilly(FR) 2m 4f chs sft in Jun.
Seafield (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up on outer, in touch approaching straight, no extra and weakened quickly 3 out, eased, last of 7, 50l behind Fully Funded (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Tornedo Shay (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Darwins Fox (11-3) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1).
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, challenged 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra before last, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Rick (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Joe Smooth 3-10fav (11-10) Chased leader, led 3rd, mistake 2 out, clear before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy beating Celtic Wish (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
