tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along early straight and no extra in 3rd approaching last
chased leaders in 4th when unseated rider 4th
led, headed briefly 7th, strongly pressed early straight and headed 2 out, no impression on winner when not fluent last, kept on one pace
chased leaders when fell 1st
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed 6th and led briefly next, regained lead 2 out and asserted before last, kept on well run-in
Henry De Bromhead has won two of the five renewals including with Sizing Europe in 2009. Darwins Fox won't match his achievements but looks a very useful addition to the chasing ranks and is progressing at a rate of knots if his easy victory in a Grade 3 at Roscommon is anything to go by, though he picks up a penalty. ART OF LOGISTICS will need to improve from his chasing debut victory at Gowran but there's every chance he will do so and, in receipt of 8lb, looks the one to be on. Saint Gervais followed a fine victory over Steps To Freedom at Killarney with a good second to the very useful Rebel Fitz at Galway and is by no means out of this while Six Stone Ned should win races this season and will love the conditions.
Darwins Fox (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders, closer order from before 5 out, soon 3rd, challenged and led after 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) gf in Sep beating Cootamundra (11-1) by 13l, 8 ran.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, closer order 4 out, slightly hampered last, soon under pressure in pursuit of winner, no impression and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Rebel Fitz (11-12) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gf in Sep.
Six Stone Ned (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Jumped a bit high 1st and niggled along, soon tracked leaders, dropped to moderate 8th and no impression approaching straight, 8th of 15, 29l behind Bridgequarter Girl (10-12) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Sep.
Takestan (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders and 7th halfway, 6th entering straight and 4th at last, no impression run-in, 5th of 15, 5l behind Top Spin (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-116 gf.
Art Of Logistics (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Soon tracked leaders, challenged and on-terms straight, led and stayed on well from last, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs gd beating Balnaslow (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
