in rear, slight mistake 6th, closed to track leaders from 3 out, ridden to chase winner straight, soon no impression, one pace
led, inclined to jump right, bad mistake and unseated rider 5th
soon raced in 4th, left 3rd from 5th, pushed along to chase winner approaching straight, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression, fell last
soon raced in 3rd, jumped well, left 2nd from 5th, soon on terms, led before 3 out, went on approaching straight, stayed on well from before last, impressive
jumped right early, soon raced in 2nd, left in lead 5th, soon joined, headed before 3 out where mistake and dropped to rear, no extra after, left 3rd from last
Willie Mullins has won this for the past two years with Douvan and Min. FOOTPAD, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, was an impressive winner on his chasing bow at Navan and though facing much better rivals looks the type to follow until beaten in his novice campaign. Death Duty, another winner at the highest level over timber, followed his opening success over fences with a convincing victory in the Grade 1 Drinmore and is another high-class first-season novice. It should be a fascinating clash between the pair. Jett has much more experience but couldn't cope with Tombstone in a Grade 3 last time while Any Second Now was beaten when odds-on for a beginners' event at Navan. Avenir D'une Vie gained his first success over fences at Punchestown but this is a massive step up in class.
Any Second Now (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd throughout, jumped well, ridden and pressed winner 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Invitation Only (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Made all, 4-length advantage halfway, pushed out and kept on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec beating Saturnas (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Death Duty (IRE) 8-11fav (11-10) Made all, inclined to jump left, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating Rathvinden (11-10) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Footpad (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Made all, jumped well, travelled well and asserted after 2 out, stayed on well, very easily, won at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Brelade (11-12) by 11l, 6 ran.
Jett (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 2nd and 3rd, jumped right at 4th, disputed lead at 7th, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner from last, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Tombstone (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
