led, 2 lengths clear halfway, pushed along and headed after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 4th before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, pushed along to challenge 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, edged right early run-in and kept on well, just held on
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute lead briefly after 2 out, ridden and close 2nd approaching last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, just failed
tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 3rd halfway, 4th and bad mistake 2 out, 3rd and ridden before last, kept on one pace, dropped to 4th close home
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra
held up towards rear, slight mistake 5th, no impression 2 out, pushed along and some headway in 6th at last, ridden and kept on well run-in, edged left and went 3rd close home
held up towards rear, ran freely, 6th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
mid-division, slow 2nd and dropped towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along and detached in rear approaching straight, no extra, tailed off
Still Ciel, a winning point-to-pointer, did well to win over the minimum here in October and was taking on much stronger opposition at Leopardstown earlier this month. Rexem won three times on quick ground last summer and was nowhere near his best at Musselburgh last time. SA FUREUR is progressing nicely and though his form has been on testing ground there's no reason why he shouldn't handle today's conditions. Down Royal winner Ifiwerearichman jumped badly right for much of the way at Navan and should do better here while winning bumper Knockanard Lady will be having her first start on decent ground and can't be dismissed.
Rexem (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led until 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened soon after, 4th of 6, 29l behind Inis Oirr (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m (2) gs in Feb.
Sa Fureur (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Tracked leader, 3rd after 6th, 4th before 8th, progress before 3 out, 2nd after 3 out, challenged leader 2 out, led before last where headed, led narrowly final 100 yards, kept on bes, won at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Jan beating La Malmason (11-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Buddy One (IRE) 13-8fav (12-7) Tracked leaders, slightly slow 3rd, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, slight mistake 3 out, ridden after 3 out, closer briefly before 2 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Carbon King (11-8) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp sft in Jan.
Ifiwerearichman (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, jumped right 4 out, under pressure when jumped slightly right and headed 3 out, left in front on landing, ridden and dropped to 3rd approaching 2 out, left 2nd 2 out, pressed winner at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Path D'oroux (11-11) at Navan 2m sft in Jan.
Henning (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead after 3 out, pushed along approaching next, 2 lengths lead last, soon ridden and kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding in Feb beating One Last Tango (12-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Knockanard Lady (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 4th after 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 21, 19 1/4l behind Indiana Dream (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn sft in Jan.
Still Ciel (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led after 2nd, disputed halfway, led 2 out (usual 3 out), headed entering straight, weakening when hampered on inner before last, no extra, 17th of 22, 37 1/4l behind Ballybawn Belter (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Whiskey Lullaby (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Towards rear, 9th after 6th, headway to 4th after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace in moderate 2nd run-in, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Optional Mix (11-2) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
