raced in last throughout, left 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd from 5th, left 2nd 3 out, pushed along next, ridden to dispute lead at last, improved to lead narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well
led, big jump 2 out, pushed along approaching last, ridden and joined at last, headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied and stayed on well close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 5th, fell 3 out
RETOUR EN FRANCE went for 120,000 euros at the sales in 2014 but didn't make her debut for Willie Mullins until three weeks ago at Galway. She couldn't quite cope with unbeaten stable companion Airlie Beach there but was conceding 5lb and should go one better. Presenting Mahler, a decent enough staying hurdler, made a promising start over fences behind Westerner Lady at Listowel then ran quite well on the Flat there a few days later. She can definitely improve though Water Sprite was a better hurdler and makes her debut over the bigger obstacles, as does Balofilo. The latter won a couple of races over timber though at a lowly level and will need to show major improvement over fences.
Balofilo 12-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division, chased leaders and no impression straight, mistake last, one pace, 4th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Another Rattler (10-6) at Listowel 2m hcp hvy in Sep.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Towards rear, last under 6f out, pushed along under 4f out, chased leaders on outer into straight, no impression in 3rd from under 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8 3/4l behind Snow Falcon (11-0) at Listowel 1m 6f Yielding in Sep.
Retour En France (IRE) 9-10fav (11-7) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 7th, ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Airlie Beach (11-2) at Galway 2m 5f sft in Sep.
Water Sprite (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, 4th after 3 out, ridden before straight and no impression, mistake 2 out, kept on one pace into 3rd before last, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-12) at Listowel 2m sft in Sep.
