Across The Channel had looked booked for the placings on his debut at Lisronagh last month only to come down at the final fence. The son of Dunkerque re-appeared at Mainstown four weeks later at quite a sharp course. Unsurprisingly, the field were very tightly bunched round the home bend, with nine runners covered by a handful of lengths. As a result, speed was a real premium on over the downhill fences, and Across The Channel was quickly one of two horses that began to break clear. Despite his chief rival being Junior Rattler, a second-season maiden who had more experience, Across The Channel was able to out-battle him and was in command by the line and confidence can be taken from this given the depth of the race, with the runner-up having finished second at Tinahely and the third having finished placed behind £255,000 seller Fiston Des Issards at Loughanmore.