made all, went clear from 2 out, ridden before last, swished tail under pressure run-in and kept on well
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 3rd halfway, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, some progress 3 out, ridden in moderate 6th next, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, dropped to rear from 4 out, behind straight
held up, 7th halfway, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd at mext, kept on same pace from last
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd from halfway, ridden in 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on inside final furlong
Willie Mullins is triple-handed here and all of his entries look useful to say the least. It's difficult to choose between them though the fillies' allowance may just enable ADRIANA DES MOTTES to come out on top. Placed on testing ground in France, she made all for a very impressive victory over an admittedly inferior bunch at Leopardstown and can run these rivals ragged. Abbyssial had impressed on his debut for the yard but didn't please everyone when scrambling home at Gowran. He'll need to do better but looks capable of doing so and has to be a threat. All Pepper is an unknown quantity having arrived from France with a couple of victories in minor company but he could be anything. Plinth is an obvious threat to the Mullins' battalions though his jumping went to pieces when tackling Grade 1 company last time. It's quite possible that one or more of these rivals could be up to that level so he's overlooked.
Abbyssial (IRE) 2-9fav (11-0) Made all, ridden and flashed tail run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl in Jan beating Noble Inn (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Achtung 66-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden into 8th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, 9th of 17, 29l behind Sea Beat (10-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl.
All Pepper (GER) (10-9) won at Nantes(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Nov, 0 ran.
Bertimont (FR) (10-3) 8th of 9, 12l behind Bebe Star (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f Chase Grade 2 (3yo) gs in Nov.
Blue Hell (FR) (11-3) 2nd of 0 All Pepper (10-5) at Nantes(FR) 2m 1f hdl hvy in Oct.
Elishpour (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Soon led and disputed, joined 2 out, headed before last, soon no extra, 8th of 18, 9l behind Plinth (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Gerdago (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd entering straight and no impression in moderate 4th approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 22l behind Analifet (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) in Dec.
Henry Higgins (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased clear leader in rear, closer 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 5th early straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 13l behind Guitar Pete (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1).
Adriana Des Mottes (FR) 8-11fav (10-7) Made all, stumbled slightly on landing 3 out, went clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Halling's Treasure (11-0) by 18l, 15 ran.
Halling's Treasure 9-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders, on terms 3 out where slight peck, mistake 2 out, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 20, 4l behind Shantou Ed (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Orgilgo Bay (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage before 4 out, challenged 2 out and soon headed, no extra and weakened early straight, last of 6, 23l behind Guitar Pete (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1).
Plinth (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Chased clear leader, 5th halfway, closer when not fluent 4 out, mistake next, ridden and went 3rd approaching last where slight mistake, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Guitar Pete (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1).
