ran 5th, went 3rd halfway, travelled well to lead entering straight, drew clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
towards rear, 8th halfway, no extra in 7th approaching straight, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, 7th halfway, no extra in rear 4f out, weakened, completely tailed off
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, no extra, kept on one pace
led or disputed lead, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, moderate 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no impression entering straight, moderate 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden over 4f out, no extra approaching straight
prominent and disputed lead, headed entering straight, soon no chance with easy winner, kept on one pace
Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have had some battles in bumpers this season and that looks like being the case again here. The former runs General Principle, who cost Gigginstown £80,000 after his impressive victory between the flags at Kirkistown in November. He could be anything but it's the champion trainer's newcomer PRINCE D'AUBRELLE who catches the eye. His dam has already produced four winners on the Flat and over jumps in France and it would be no surprise if her latest progeny turned out to be very useful. Zip Wyatt started life in a maiden hurdle at Naas a year ago and ran well for a long way so he's no forlorn hope to upset the principles.
General Principle (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Mid div, went 2nd at 3rd, wo 5th, 3l ld 1/2way, lft clr 3out, in command str, eased cl home, easily, won at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp sft in Nov beating Bartons Brae (12-2) by 8l, 5 ran.
Golden Excitement (IRE) Acambaro gelding out of Floating Doll.
Hifaluting (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Rr & mstk 2nd, fell 3rd, in a race won by Ballyboker Breeze (12-2) at Monksgrange 3m ire ptp hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Sevenkings (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden along 4f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 26l behind Au Quart De Tour (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat in Jan.
Zip Wyatt (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up, 10th before 3rd, not fluent 5th, went moderate 5th and no impression from before 2 out, moderate 2nd from last, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 13, 12l behind Kick On Boss (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Jan '14.
Black Sam The Man 5-2 (10-13) Twrds rr, cl 5th aftr 5ut & rddn aftr 4out, went 3rd 2out, so bef last in clsr 3rd & gaining on 2nd to line, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Glenwood For Ever (12-2) at Cregg 3m ire ptp gs in Dec.
Declan The Brickie (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon no impression, never a factor, 8th of 9, 36l behind Au Quart De Tour (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat in Jan.
Prince D'Aubrelle (FR) Malinas gelding out of La Star.
