After a narrow victory at Punchestown, Fighter Allen stepped into Grade 2 company at Navan but pulled hard and was soon done with. Young Ted was also well beaten at the same level at Limerick while the mare Angels Dawn is making her hurdles debut. Heather Rocco and GENTLEMANSGAME have similar profiles, both having scored between the flags and on their hurdles debut. The vote just goes to the latter, who will be receiving 3lb. Torygraph was very impressive over the trip at Fairyhouse and Jack Kennedy is likely to make good use of his obvious stamina.
Fighter Allen (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Led, took keen hold, pushed along and joined entering straight, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, trailing when pulled up before last, at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Heather Rocco (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, disputed at times, led after 7th, went on approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Dec beating Song Of Earth (12-0) by 11l, 12 ran.
Torygraph (IRE) Evensfav (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 3 out, close 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Velvet Elvis (11-5) by 13l, 11 ran.
Young Ted (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Waited with towards rear, not fluent 4 out and some headway, slight mistake 3 out and no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind Farouk D'Alene (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Gentlemansgame 5-4 (12-0) Prominent, a little keen, on terms before 3rd where slight mistake, soon led and clear with one rival, went on from before 3 out, stayed on strongly, very easily, won at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Mahons Glory (12-0) by 21l, 17 ran.
Angels Dawn (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) Soon off pace in mid-division, distant 8th halfway, ridden and headway to chase leaders but still off pace straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Betty Zane (11-11) at Cork 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
