led early, tracked leader in 2nd, driven along and dropped to 3rd entering straight, no extra from 2 out
settled towards rear, 4th from halfway, ridden approaching straight and no extra from 2 out
always in rear, lost touch from 3 out, soon weakened and eased in straight, completely tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 2nd, went 2nd travelling best entering straight, pushed along to challenge and briefly disputed last, narrowly headed run-in, kept on same pace under pressure, not quite match winner
prominent and led from before 2nd, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, joined at last, led narrowly run-in and kept on best under pressure
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no threat from 3 out, no extra in straight
LORD GALE made a winning racecourse debut in a Navan bumper before pulling up at Cheltenham. He returned with a fair effort at Punchestown and can make a winning start over hurdles. Dont Back Down, a winner between the flags, has done well enough in bumpers and on his hurdling debut to make his presence felt though a bigger threat could emerge in the shape of Fair Of Cappamore, who had been well beaten in all starts before a much improved effort behind Local Celebrity in a huge field at Navan.
Best Legend (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway into 10th 3 out, ridden in 8th next, kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 18, 17l behind Abou Ben (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Fair Of Cappamore (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden into 8th 3 out, kept on in 6th last, stayed on run-in to 2nd on line, 2nd of 25, 10l behind Local Celebrity (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl in Dec.
Grove Kid (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, fell 3 out, in a race won by Local Celebrity (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl in Dec, 25 ran.
Lord Gale (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Soon chased leaders, 5th approaching halfway, kept on under pressure without troubling winner from early straight, 2nd of 21, 9l behind Burn And Turn (10-9) at Punchestown 2m N H flat gs in May.
Dont Back Down (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 5 out, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra before last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Benefficient (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Tales Of Milan (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra 4 out, 13th of 21, well behind Monksland (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Dec.
