waited with, closer order in 5th 4 out, struggling next and dropped to last before 2 out, no extra
led, niggled along and headed 3rd, ridden and dropped to rear 5th, soon trailing, regained contact with the field after 4 out, no impression in moderate 5th and kept on same pace from before 2 out
waited with, moderate 4th and no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders and tended to race wide, led approaching straight, pressed and joined before 2 out, in front again before last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed approaching straight, on terms again before 2 out, 2nd before last, kept on run-in without matching winner
prominent, 3rd after 4 out, challenged from before 2 out, struggling to get there when slight peck last, kept on run-in
THOUSAND STARS generally sees the back of his illustrious stablemate Hurricane Fly disappearing in front of him but is a really smart performer in his own right, especially when stepping up in trip. He's taken his time to find his form since his two brilliant victories in France early last summer but should now be at his peak and has to be the selection. Un Beau Matin is a very nice prospect who probably would have won a Grade 2 here in December but for falling two out and is still on the upgrade. Whatuthink was well beaten in that event but had earlier won a similar race here and can never be discounted despite his advancing years. On His Own is having a warm-up race before the Grand National for which he has attracted very strong support.
Thousand Stars (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, led after 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no chance with winner and kept on same pace, pressed for 2nd run-in, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) in Jan.
Whatuthink (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Led, extended advantage to 7 lengths before halfway, reduced lead when mistake 2 out, headed under pressure and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Solwhit (10-13) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Jadanli (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway to dispute approaching straight and led 3 out, jumped right next, kept on under pressure, drifted left and strongly pressed run-in, just held on, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs hvy in Jan beating Tarquinius (10-6) by hd, 18 ran.
On His Own (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hampered 5th, headway 17th, disputed 3rd when fell 21st (bechers brook), in a race won by Neptune Collonges (11-6) at Aintree 4m 4f Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (7yo+) (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 13-8 (11-6) Made all, pushed along approaching last where not fluent, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Jan beating Shrapnel (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Un Beau Matin (IRE) Evensfav (11-1) Waited with 4th of the 5, closer order 4 out, 3rd before next, challenged still going okay and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Owega Star (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
