tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer 5 out, pushed along 2 out, ridden and headway to go 2nd last, kept on one pace, 3rd and no impression closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 5 out, pushed along and no impression 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
led, jumped right, headed after 5 out, pushed along early straight, 2nd and not fluent 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ran freely, headway 5 out and soon led, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, headed close home
tracked leader, slightly hampered 1st, slight mistake 5th, 2nd halfway, 3rd and pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and mistake last, no extra run-in
mid-division, 6th 4 out, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
always rear, never a factor, slow 7th, detached early straight, no extra
Gordon Elliott has won this with Samcro and Fury Road in recent years and has a very strong hand this time. Fakiera stayed on strongly when scoring over 2m at Fairyhouse so should be suited by the extra but FAROUK D'ALENE looks the stable choice. He had little difficulty landing a 2m6f maiden on his hurdling debut at Down Royal and that experience may just count in another battle with Fire Attack. The pair met in a Naas bumper in February with the latter just having to give best close home when in receipt of 3lb. Lieutenant Command overcame mistakes to score at Galway but won't get away with them against these while Champagne Gold will need improvement from his Wexford victory but will be much better suited by this longer trip.
Champagne Gold (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked clear leader, closed after 7th, led before 4 out, not fluent 3 out and headed, soon regained lead, asserted before 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 1f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Place Des Vosges (11-7) by 4 1/4l, 11 ran.
Fakiera (FR) 15-8 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd and pushed along approaching 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure and challenged run-in, kept on well, led on line, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Gabynako (11-6) by ns, 14 ran.
Farouk D'Alene (FR) 2-9fav (12-0) Tracked leader until led after 1st, not fluent 3rd, headed 4th, led again 7th, eased clear before 2 out, pushed out and kept on well from last, not extended, won at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Pat's Pick (12-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Fire Attack (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Soon in rear, closed into 4th after 6f, headway and effort straight, pushed along over 2f out, on terms over 1f out, soon gained narrow lead, kept on well, headed at line, 2nd of 5, hd behind Farouk D'Alene (11-10) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Lieutenant Command (FR) 13-8 (12-0) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, disputed and slight mistake last, kept on best run-in, asserted close home, won at Galway 2m 5f mdn sft in Oct beating Coqolino (12-0) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Botani (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Led, joined briefly 3 out, travelled well after next, strongly pressed last, soon headed, no impression on winner and kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Place Des Vosges (11-9) at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.
X' Girl (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders early, disputed moderate 9th before halfway, no impression straight, no extra from under 2f out, 11th of 18, 22 3/4l behind Thefaithfulindian (9-2) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
