tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, soon briefly disputed lead and ridden, headed at last, no extra in 3rd run-in
held up in last, headway on outer entering straight, went 3rd 3 out, improved to dispute lead after 2 out, ridden at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
tracked leaders, pushed along entering straight, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
rear of mid-division on outer, ridden in 6th after 3 out, soon no impression
mid-division, close 5th when bad mistake 3 out, soon pushed along, 4th next, ridden in moderate 5th at last, kept on without threatening in 4th inside final furlong
held up towards rear, effort on inner when hampered and carried badly left after 3 out, progress into 5th when short of room briefly and pushed along 2 out, ridden to dispute lead at last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
rear of mid-division, weakened from 3 out, never a factor
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened
EASY GAME (NAP) just got up to pip Magnium on the line in a Grade 3 over the track and trip last month with Choungaya also in the picture for third. There's little between them this time but the winner has lots of scope and can complete a double. Defi Bleu beat Momus, who runs in the opener, comfortably enough over the track and trip but takes a step up in grade while the selection's stable companion Getareason has disappointed since completing a double in August. Monbeg Worldwide, unbeaten in three bumpers, deserves a crack at this level after completing a double in minor company over timber while Rhinestone, a classy bumper, had more in hand than the short-head verdict over Envious Editor suggests on his hurdling debut at Naas.
Choungaya (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Led, headed 4th, disputed lead again entering straight, led narrowly 3 out, ridden from next, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and dropped to 3rd close home, no extra, 3rd of 8, 1/4l behind Easy Game (11-1) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Defi Bleu (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, took keen hold early, improved to dispute lead 3 out, led before next, joined 2 out, pushed along to lead before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn gd in Nov beating Momus (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Getareason (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Not always fluent jumping early, soon in rear, pushed along 4 out, soon no impression, some headway and slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 14l behind Robin De Carlow (10-11) at Cork 3m lst (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Magnium (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon hung slightly left, improved to dispute lead inside final furlong, led narrowly close home, headed near line, 2nd of 8, nk behind Easy Game (11-1) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Monbeg Worldwide (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well inside final furlong, strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f gd in Nov beating My Sister Sarah (10-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Rhinestone (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along briefly 4 out, headway to dispute lead travelling well before 2 out, pushed along before last, ridden to gain narrow lead inside final furlong, stayed on well under hands and heels close home, cosily, won at Naas 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov beating Envious Editor (11-9) by shd, 22 ran.
Easy Game (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Towards rear, 7th 3 out, pushed along in 4th 2 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, headway into 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead near line, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Magnium (11-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Satoshi (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Waited with, 11th approaching halfway, headway and effort straight, chased winner last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Inca Gold (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m gd in Nov.
Western Victory (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Soon led, joined 2 out, led narrowly and pushed along after 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Getaway Katie Mai (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
