held up in 6th, headway on outer into close 5th and slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and improved to lead at last, ridden clear and stayed on well run-in
held up in 5th, bad mistake at 5th and dropped to rear, mistake 3 out and soon no impression
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
led from 2nd, pushed along 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before last, disputed 3rd inside final furlong, dropped to 4th near line
led early, headed 2nd, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, slightly hampered at 5th, 6th 2 out, soon ridden, 5th at last, disputed 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, went 3rd near line
Gordon Elliott has three runners here, all in different ownership. Sanibel Island returned to winning ways at Navan where he was ideally suited by the testing ground. Ballela Boy looked one to follow when scoring over slightly further here in October but didn't run up to that form in two subsequent starts while Shadow Catcher is much better known as a chaser these days and it's a long time since he won. DERULO made a successful hurdling debut last May and showed he was ready to score again when a close fourth in a lucrative Grade B handicap at Leopardstown in January so just gets the vote over Kilfenora, who defied odds of 50/1 to land a Punchestown maiden in impressive fashion.
Derulo (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, 6th approaching 4th, ridden straight, kept on run-in, 4th of 20, 1 3/4l behind Ice Cold Soul (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Sanibel Island (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 5th halfway, closer after 4 out, progress to challenge 2 out, soon disputed travelling well, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m hcp hvy in Mar beating Grand Partner (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Disputed lead, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out and soon 3rd, moderate 3rd when mistake again at last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 13 3/4l behind Crack Tiepy (10-9) at Wexford 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lofgren 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 6 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Captain Redbeard (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Shadow Catcher 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute before 3 out, pushed along and mistake last, soon headed, ridden and no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Westerner Point (10-11) at Thurles 2m 2f hvy in Feb.
Bitview Colin (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Led and disputed early, 2nd from before 4th, disputed again entering straight, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon headed, under pressure in 5th before last, kept on same pace run-in to go 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Sanibel Island (10-13) at Navan 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Little Stevie 66-1 (11-0) A little keen, chased leaders on outer, 7th before 6th, no impression 8th, no extra and pulled up before 2 out, at Thurles 2m 4f sft in Feb.
Kilfenora (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 2 out, good headway to lead before last, went clear at last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating Mr Showtime (11-3) by 15l, 17 ran.
On Impulse (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Soon chased leaders, moderate 5th from 3rd, soon closer order to track leaders, 6th before straight, soon lost place and no extra, 9th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Presenting Percy (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
