unruly before race, raced in 4th, last 4 out, niggled along approaching straight, soon no impression
raced in 2nd, ridden into straight, challenged and almost on terms before 2 out, struggling when hit last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
raced mainly in 3rd, niggled along approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
waited with in rear, 4th 4 out, pushed along into straight, soon beaten and not fluent 2 out, found to be stiff post race
made virtually all, jumped well, travelling best into straight, pressed and almost joined before 2 out, stayed on best to assert from before last
Once again Willie Mullins complicates matters by saddling a pair of runners and BACK IN FOCUS is a very intriguing entry. A winning point-to-pointer in Ireland, he joined Howard Johnson and made a spectacular start for the yard when landing a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock a year ago. He flopped in faster going at Aintree but today's conditions should be perfect. Stablemate Turban landed a bumper on his racecourse debut and though beaten on both starts over timber a strong gallop would aid his cause and he must be respected. Lord Redsgirth is progressing nicely and won comfortably at Down Royal. He's another who requires a stiff test and will undoubtedly come into his own when sent over fences. Stephanie Kate could provide the main threat as she was runner-up in a Grade 3 over hurdles at Leopardstown in December before a poor effort over fences there last month.
Lord Redsgirth (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, challenged 3 out, travelled well to lead before 2 out where left clear, asserted before last, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Butney Boy (11-4) by 9l, 10 ran.
Tofino Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, close 5th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace straight, went 4th near line, 4th of 11, 11l behind Abou Ben (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl hvy.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Prominent, no extra from 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th from last, 4th of 8, 25l behind Folsom Blue (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan.
Turban (FR) 4-6fav (11-9) Raced mainly in 4th, went 2nd before 2 out & challenged when slightly left, stayed on well run-in, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 6, hd behind Casa Jove (11-12) at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl sft in Dec.
Stephanie Kate (IRE) 11-2fav (9-13) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Seabass (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch in Jan, 22 ran.
Back In Focus (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 19, well behind Saint Are (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Dressedtothenines (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, close up approaching straight, led before 2 out, soon asserted, good jump and stayed on well from last, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m mrs nov hdl hvy beating Noras Fancy (11-4) by 6l, 5 ran.
