tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, went 2nd and pushed along before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 5th, last and slight mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, no impression
led, bad mistake 3rd and mistake 7th, joined before 3 out, ridden and headed 3 out, dropped to 5th entering straight, no impression, kept on one pace run-in
held up in last, 5th at 7th, ridden and no impression from 3 out
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead before 3 out, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before 2 out, 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, closer in 2nd 3 out, disputed lead travelling well entering straight, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in comfortably
Apple's Jade has won this for the past three years, beating the smart Supasundae by 20 lengths a year ago before equally impressive victories in Grade 1 races at Leopardstown. Beaten three times in top-class races at the Festivals subsequently, she was undoubtedly disappointing when well beaten by Bacardys on her reappearance and it's difficult to see a form reversal with the winner, who was scoring for the first time since his novice days. The latter's yard also run Penhill, the dual Cheltenham Grade 1 winner having his first start since a well-beaten runner-up to Faugheen in last year's Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown. HONEYSUCKLE faces her moment of truth here as she's looked brilliant in winning all five starts over hurdles, including a Grade 1 here in April. This is by far her toughest task and she'll need to improve again but this can be victory number six.
Bacardys (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders in close 3rd, headway to lead travelling well 2 out, pushed along and quickly went clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Apple's Jade (11-5) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Davids Charm (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 13 3/4l behind Royal Illusion (8-12) at Curragh 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led, pressed and slight mistake 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Penhill 2-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in moderate 5th, progress into moderate 3rd 5out, went closer 2nd 2 out, ridden entering straight, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Apple's Jade (FR) 1-4fav (11-5) Led, jumped right, niggled along and joined entering straight, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 9 1/2l behind Bacardys (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Honeysuckle 3-10fav (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 6th, improved to lead before 3 out, travelling well 2 out, soon went clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hvy in Nov beating Easy Game (11-10) by 11l, 5 ran.
