raced in 4th, progress approaching 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before straight, no impression from before 2 out, not fluent last
led, slight mistake 5th, headed 4 out, ridden straight, no impression and one pace between last 2
raced in 3rd, lost place and under pressure from 3 out, no impression in last before straight
in rear, slight mistake 5th and closer order, led 4 out, reminder between last 2, soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily
tracked leader, dropped to 4th approaching 4 out, last before next, moderate 4th again approaching straight and no impression
Yet another Gordon Elliott v Willie Mullins battle with the former looking to hold the key this time with five of the seven entries against the latter's two. SUTTON PLACE (NAP) is very difficult to oppose after his impressive victory over stable companion De Plotting Shed and Mullins' Renneti in this grade at Navan. A bit more rain would aid his cause but he's progressing at a rate of knots and stayed on very powerfully that day. It's difficult to see either of the placed horses reversing the form but Whiteout, who isn't the most consistent of performers, often comes up trumps when least expected, as when landing the Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle at last year's Punchestown Festival.
Tombstone (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon beaten and behind, 22nd of 25, dist behind Supasundae (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
De Plotting Shed (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead entering straight, led 3 out, ridden next, strongly pressed at last, headed after last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Sutton Place (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Lieutenant Colonel 20-1 (11-10) Prominent and disputed lead, headed 5th, mistake 7th and lost place, slight mistake 10th and dropped to rear, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, pulled up before next, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Renneti (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, ran on flat, finished strongly, not reach leaders, 8th of 25, 4 1/4l behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Whiteout (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Led, headed 4th, 2nd when fell 4 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Sutton Place (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 5th, niggled along entering straight, headway on outer from 2 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching last, led after last and stayed on strongly close home, won at Navan 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating De Plotting Shed (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Taglietelle 20-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, hampered on inside after 3 out, well beaten after, 12th of 23, 25 3/4l behind Champagne Classic (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
