tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 3 out, carried slightly left approaching last, carried left briefly after last, no extra close home and dropped to 3rd
mid-division on outer, took keen hold early, bad mistake 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, no impression from 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led, joined 3rd, headed 7th, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd next, 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home
mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders on inner, slight mistake 3rd, led briefly before 4 out, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, disputed lead 3rd, headed before 4 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression from next
in rear, headway into 6th 4 out, soon ridden, 6th 2 out, no impression
mid-division, good headway to lead after 4 out, ridden and edged left approaching 2 out, continued to edged left run--in, stayed on well
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, closer in 8th on inner when fell 4 out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
Theo won the previous race a year ago but is untested over this longer trip but Bearly Legal, who is much better known as a staying chaser, can revert to hurdles on an 18lb lower mark. RETURNTOVENDOR is a tough and consistent staying hurdler and though he continues to climb the weights he looks capable of following up his battling victory at Clonmel earlier this month. Another Challenge hasn't had much racing over the last couple of years and pulled up at Fairyhouse in January but his overall form puts him in the frame for this and he could go well at a fair price. Areema and Nerual are both maidens but will enjoy the trip and testing ground so should get competitive. The once promising St Maxime has only just returned after a long break and it wouldn't be a shock to see her bounce back to form.
Returntovendor (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Disputed early, chased leaders from 2nd, prominent from 7th, disputed 4 out, ridden before straight, kept on to lead before 2 out, pressed last, disputed run-in, rallied to edge ahead closing stages, won at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Mar beating For Carmel (10-3) by shd, 18 ran.
State Of Origin (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Held up, inclined to jump right, last and not fluent 3rd, soon under pressure, trailing after 6th, pulled up before 5 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Drummullagh Rocky (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, soon closed, dropped to last again and no impression from before 2 out, no extra straight, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Sunni May (11-9) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Another Challenge (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, soon raced in 3rd, pushed along 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Fairyhouse 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Bearly Legal (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd and no impression on leaders 2 out, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on same pace run-in into 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Mr Diablo (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Areema (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, driven to chase leaders after next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Buckled (10-13) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Nerual (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Held up in touch, slight mistake 2nd, 7th from 3rd, closer in 2nd from 8th, on terms approaching 3 out, headed from next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Diamond Cauchois (11-11) at Thurles 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Optimised (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Disputed early, chased leaders from 3rd, 4th halfway, disputed 4 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 7th of 18, dist behind Returntovendor (11-5) at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
St Maxime (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) In rear, pushed along briefly 5th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 13, dist behind Mad Brian (11-3) at Navan 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Theo (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 14, 24l behind Camlann (11-8) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Tyrrell's Succes (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Slight mistake 1st, soon towards rear, went moderate 8th before straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 5th of 19, 30 3/4l behind Nicole's Milan (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Augher Castle (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, pushed along after 5 out, never a factor, 14th of 16, dist behind Bye Bye O Bye (10-9) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gd in Apr.
Time And Times (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, jumped right at 2nd, never a factor, 11th of 18, dist behind Mossback (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb.
Qery (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 3rd and mistake next, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 13, 30 1/4l behind Indy Island (10-11) at Down Royal 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
