soon settled behind leaders, bad mistake 7th, soon towards rear, slightly slow and behind from 9th, no impression 5 out, weakened
soon chased leader in 2nd, challenged before 4 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, mistake 4th, behind from 8th, no impression 5 out, weakened
always towards rear, slight mistake 5th, behind from 8th, mistake 12th, no impression 5 out, weakened
held up early, progress into 5th at 6th, closer in 3rd before 9th, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression before next, kept on same pace
led briefly, headed before 1st, soon settled behind leading pair, 4th before 9th, 5th and no impression before 4 out, weakened before next
led before 1st, pressed before 4 out, ridden after 2 out and soon asserted, steadied last, kept on strongly run-in, easily
soon settled behind leaders, mistake 8th, 5th at 9th, pushed along in 6th after 5 out, no impression next, weakened
held up towards rear early, slightly hampered 7th, closer in 6th at 9th, 4th 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, no impression entering straight, went left 2 out, weakened
Balbir Du Mathan was engaged at Navan yesterday. His form in France suggested he could be potentially useful which is why he went for 300,000 euros at the sales but he's changed stables after losing his confidence so has a bit to prove. Nickname Exit made his chasing debut in very testing ground at Cork and did everything right bar beating the favourite Toushan. Gordon Elliott's charge jumped well and will be difficult to keep out of the frame though all eyes here will be on PONT ALEXANDRE. Regarded as a future champion when landing Grade 1 and 2 events over hurdles three years ago, he started favourite for the 2013 Neptune at Cheltenham but found The New One and Rule The World too strong. His absence is an obvious concern but he's still only seven and entries in two Grade 1 races over Christmas suggest he's still very highly regarded. Talbot Road is another with an absence to overcome but looks a nice staying prospect for the future.
Aengus (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Prince Of Scars (11-10) at Navan 2m 7f hcp sft in Nov.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 9-10fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd at 7th, not fluent 9th, slow 11th, almost on terms when slight mistake 3 out, soon no impression in 3rd, mistake 2 out, slow jump last, no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind Thunder And Roses (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Is That Marmalade (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, 6th halfway, dropped to 10th and mistake 5 out, no extra, pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Mezendore (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, 11th halfway, 9th and slight mistake 5 out, no extra after next, pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, lost place and ridden before 2 out, soon no extra, 9th of 13, 31 3/4l behind Walk To Freedom (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Nickname Exit (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, closed to lead after 5 out, pushed along before straight, joined 3 out where slight mistake, headed 2 out, back on terms last, just led run-in, kept on well, headed on line, 2nd of 6, shd behind Toushan (11-12) at Cork 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
Pont Alexandre (GER) 6-4fav (11-7) With leader, led 2nd, headed after 4th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind The New One (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Salsa Sensation (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Close up and disputed at times, slight mistakes 5th and 9th, disputed from 5 out, 4th and slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression next, 6th of 10, 22 1/2l behind He Is Top Class (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Nov.
Talbot Road (IRE) 5-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, ridden from 3 out, moderate 13th next, no impression, 12th of 17, 24 3/4l behind Sammy Black (10-0) at Naas 2m 3f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
