mid-division early, improved to track leaders from before 4th, challenged and on terms before 3 out, soon led, clear approaching last where not fluent, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, struggling 5 out, no extra approaching straight
waited with in rear, closer in 9th 4 out, 7th approaching straight, kept on without threatening under pressure
soon mid-division, improved to be prominent 4 out, on terms before next where slight mistake, soon headed, no impression approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, no extra 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
led, joined 4 out, headed and no impression from before 3 out
tracked leaders, dropped to 8th and pushed along 4 out, no extra approaching straight
towards rear, 10th 4 out, no danger and kept on same pace from before straight
prominent, on terms 4 out, headed and no extra straight
prominent, lost place 4 out, 6th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
tracked leaders, dropped to 6th 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace approaching straight
waited with towards rear, improved to be prominent 4 out, 5th approaching straight, soon weakened
It's the turn of Patrick Mullins to ride for father Willie in this on board NOT FOR CONVERTING. Second twice already this season at Punchestown, the eight-year-old shouldn't be too inconvenienced by today's drop in trip and has the best form in the race. Ballyburke ran some fair races in defeat last season but has been on the sidelines for the best part of a year while Offaly Allstar needs to step up again on his recent C&D fourth. Last month's Limerick third Sir Harry Cash is open to further improvement, however, and Kildare Blowin could conceivably run into a place if his Navan run has blown away a few cobwebs. But a bigger danger may be Valleymount, who has some very decent bumper form and tackles hurdles for the first time.
Ballyburke (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outer, 8th halfway, moderate 7th and no impression after 2 out, 7th of 25, 31l behind Gift Of Dgab (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Bay To Go (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Waited with towards rear at slow pace, 8th 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 29l behind Murchu (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Bestseller 14-1 (11-7) Soon towards rear, no extra from over 4f out, last of 6, well behind Tidy Zag (11-7) at Thurles 2m N H flat hvy in Dec.
Kildare Blowin (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th and no extra next, kept on one pace, 8th of 18, 21l behind Abou Ben (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Knockbrack Lad (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Lost ground start, always towards rear, 15th of 18, well behind Satwa King (10-11) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Dec.
Offaly Allstar 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, no impression in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 18l behind Ballysteen (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
Oscar Gale (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Alw pr, rdn in mod 3rd 3out, went 2nd but no dngr to wnr, 2nd of 16, 20l behind Soitoldyou (12-0) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp gs in Dec.
Sumetune (GER) 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 4th 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 8, 12l behind Lios A Choill (11-13) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat sft in Feb '09.
Talking Dan (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Way off pace in mid-division, poor 6th and no danger approaching straight, 6th of 11, well behind Distant Memories (11-9) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Think Alive (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Led and disputed, headed 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 11, well behind Ballycasey (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f N H flat in Dec.
Baracka Box (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division best, no impression straight, 11th of 18, 24l behind Abou Ben (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Celtic Cailin (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division racing keenly, led after 4th, strongly pressed and headed entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 12, 33l behind Touch Back (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Not For Converting (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, driven along in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace into 2nd run-in without troubling winner, 2nd of 20, 5l behind Please Talk (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl in Dec.
Sir Harry Cash 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace approaching straight, 3rd of 11, 30l behind Distant Memories (11-9) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Valleymount (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, closer on outer entering straight, no extra from 2f out, 8th of 12, 14l behind Thynetocatcher (11-6) at Navan 2m mrs N H flat lst (1) sft in Nov.
