took keen hold, soon disputed lead, marginally headed 8th where mistake, 3rd next, dropped to last 10th where not fluent, soon pulled up
a little keen early, tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, closer in 3rd at 8th, 2nd at 9th, challenged 3 out travelling smoothly, led before 2 out, soon asserted, steadied before last where jumped left, stayed on well run-in, easily
held up, a little keen early, moderate 5th at 8th, closed 10th, pushed along approaching 3 out where tight for room briefly, 2nd after 2 out, closed last, soon no chance with winner, one pace
held up, slight mistake 5th, moderate 6th at 8th, towards rear when fell 9th
took keen hold, soon disputed lead, slight lead 8th, headed before 2 out, no impression in 3rd when mistake last, soon dropped to rear, no extra
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, slight mistake 8th, under pressure from 3 out to chase leaders, soon no impression, one pace from before last
held up, a little keen, pecked slightly 3 out, soon no impression chasing leaders, kept on same pace from before last
FLAXEN FLARE's debut over the bigger obstacles has been eagerly awaited and this looks a nice start. Runner-up to Gilgamboa in the Boylesports hurdle at Leopardstown last year, he's competed at a high level throughout his career and there's nothing of his calibre running here. He still has to jump the fences, however, and if he doesn't get round then Diamond Dame could be the one to take advantage as she ran well over hurdles at Fairyhouse after a couple of moderate runs over the bigger obstacles. It's hard to make a case out for any of the remainder though winning point-to-pointer Native Que may have a bit more to offer.
Bahati Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, last of 25, well behind Bog War (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Apr.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) In rear, a little slow at 1st, slight mistake 4th, closed from 3 out, 3rd approaching straight, challenged at last, led run-in and stayed on well, won at Galway 2m 4f hdl gd in Sep beating Plinth (10-2) by 2l, 4 ran.
Six Senses (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, pushed along 9th, ridden 5 out, trailing 3 out, eased after 2 out, bad mistake at last, last of 6, well behind Smokey Joe Joe (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft in Feb.
Special Bar (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Behind, blundered 1st, never dangerous, pulled up, in a race won by Cape York (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Young Palm (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, slight mistake 5th, mistake 8th, no impression from 4 out, eased from next, 12th of 14, well behind Better Back Bob (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl in Oct.
Cinder Rua (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, slight mistake 8th and ridden, stayed on into moderate 6th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 18l behind Ellaway Rose (11-2) at Wexford 2m 3f mrs beg chs gd in Apr.
Diamond Dame (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, progress 4 out, led next, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, no extra in 2nd at last, no impression run-in, 6th of 25, 9l behind Bog War (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Apr.
Native Que (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off before 8th, 6th of 7, well behind Tango De Juilley (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Apr.
