raced 3rd, not fluent 4 out, closed 2 out, soon 2nd, ridden to lead narrowly run-in, kept on, headed close home
towards rear, slightly detached at 2nd, 4th after 9th, in touch in 5th 3 out where mistake and fell
disputed lead, led after 2nd, not fluent at 5th, headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened before last
in rear, mistake at 1st, slightly detached at 2nd, not fluent at 7th, 5th after 9th, took closer order before 3 out, no impression on principals in 4th 2 out, weakened after 2 out
disputed lead, headed after 2nd, ridden to lead 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed run-in, rallied to lead close home
Things just didn’t work out for MINELLA INDO in the Punchestown Gold Cup but the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero escapes penalties in this affair and should have no issues with the prevailing going. Stattler is unbeaten over fences and has proved a redoubtable stayer. It won’t be easy to give 8lbs away though he possesses a most willing attitude. Cilaos Emery raced keenly at Thurles on his reappearance and his jumping has often let him down when upped in class but El Barra should at least be match fit ahead of today’s assignment.
Stattler (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd 12th, challenged going well 3 out, led 2 out, drawing clear when ridden flat, pricked ears and well in control, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f (1) gs in Mar beating Run Wild Fred (11-6) by 8l, 6 ran.
El Barra (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leader, dropped to 6th after 6th, not fluent 2 out, no extra before last where mistake, 6th of 10, 29 3/4l behind Mighty Potter (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Roi Mage (FR) (11-2) 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Grandgador (10-10) at Compiegne 3m 3f hvy in Nov.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Disputed lead early, not fluent 4th, led before 5th, pressed from 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra, not fluent last, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Darasso (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Yielding in Dec.
Minella Indo (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division at 5th and niggled along, pushed along next, ridden from 8th, behind when pulled up after 11th, at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
