led, headed briefly 3rd, pushed along and headed 2 out, 3rd and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th, pushed along after 3 out and headway to lead next, strongly pressed last, ridden run-in and kept on well closing stages
always prominent, led briefly 3rd, not fluent 5th, 2nd halfway, challenged 2 out, ridden and close 2nd before last, kept on one pace, no impression on winner closing stages
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, not fluent 8th and slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression after next, no extra from 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor, detached halfway and no extra from 4 out, weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, dropped to rear 6th, slight mistake 8th and reminder, trailing before 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off
GERRI COLOMBE, unbeaten between the flags, in two bumpers and on his hurdling debut at Down Royal, faces his stiffest test to date and needs a victory to justify two Grade 1 entries at Cheltenham, though he's expected to pass with flying colours. Churchstonewarrior had Idas Boy just half-a-length back in second when scoring over the track and trip in November. Jonathan Sweeney's charge couldn't concede 10lb to Nell's Well in a Cork Grade 3 later before a fine effort over a trip too short in a Grade 1 at Naas. The selection's stable companion The Goffer didn't enjoy heavy conditions at Limerick after an easy maiden success at Navan and the remaining trio have plenty to find.
Churchstonewarrior (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closed before 2nd, challenged at 3rd, not fluent at 4th, closed 4 out, niggled along in 3rd after 3 out, dropped to 5th before 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace to 4th closing stages, 4th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Ginto (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Gerri Colombe (FR) 2-5fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 3 out, led before 2 out, joined again 2 out, pushed out to lead before last, asserted run-in, eased close home, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Ailie Rose (10-13) by 8 1/2l, 15 ran.
Idas Boy (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led or disputed, slight mistakes 7th and next, ridden in 2nd when mistake 3 out, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 12 1/2l behind Nell's Well (10-9) at Cork 3m (1) sft in Dec.
The Goffer (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Waited with towards rear, impeded 6th, slight mistake 4 out, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Daly Tiger (11-13) at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Highland Sting (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, 4th and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 5, 9 3/4l behind Mr Fred Rogers (11-12) at Thurles 2m 7f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Jakie Mac (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Alw in rr, 10th 1/2way, no impr & to in poor 6th from 4out, no ex & pu well bef 3out, at Turtulla 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Top Question (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, slight mistake 3rd, slight mistake 4 out and pushed along, in rear when slightly hampered next, no extra, 8th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Dancing Jeremy (12-0) at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
