towards rear, rear of mid-division approaching 2 out where slight mistake, ridden and some headway in 10th before last, kept on run-in
mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along after 4 out and no impression early straight, ridden and no extra between final 2, kept on one pace run-in
rear of mid-division, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, ridden and some headway in 8th at last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight and no extra approaching last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, headway on outer 2 out and pushed along to lead before last, headed early run-in, ridden and kept on one pace
mid-division, no extra after 3 out and in rear entering straight, mistake 2 out
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, switched left 2 out and 6th approaching last, headway to lead early run-in, ridden and kept on well
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and bumped rival 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on inner, 8th halfway, short of room entering straight, pushed along and switched left in mid-division between final 2, no extra
mid-division, pushed along on outer after 3 out, ridden and no extra from next
rear of mid-division on inner, mid-division after 3 out, switched left early straight and headway on outer into 3rd at last, ridden and kept on one pace, no impression closing stages
towards rear, slight mistake 4th, some headway on inner approaching straight, switched left 2 out, pushed along and soon no impression, no extra before last
towards rear, never a factor, pushed along after 3 out and no impression next, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden approaching last and kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, headway early straight, pushed along after 2 out and no impression before last, ridden and no extra run-in
led, tended to jump left and jumped badly left 3 out, pushed along 2 out, r and headed before last, no extra run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along on inner early straight, ridden and no extra after 2 out
rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, no extra after 2 out, never a factor
towards rear, ridden after 3 out and no impression when bumped by rival next, kept on one pace, never a factor
rear of mid-division on outer, pushed along after 3 out and no impression next, kept on one pace, never a factor
A big prize up for grabs here with all the main stables well represented. Willie Mullins has won the race four times since 2012 and has five entered with Paul Townend on board Ruaille Buaille, whose form has been a bit underwhelming since an opening hurdles victory at Punchestown. Denise Foster has four engaged plus the reserve with Jack Kennedy choosing Eskylane, who has been running in strong company since his Punchestown maiden victory. The stable also run Magic Tricks for J P McManus and he makes his handicap debut following his efforts in Grade 2 and 1 company after an impressive Navan maiden victory. Another from the yard, Eclair De Beaufeu, has Jordan Gainford's claim as a bonus and he has the overall form to get into contention. Henry De Bromhead's HURRICANE CLIFF was always travelling easily when landing a Naas maiden and could be on a fair mark along with Bal De Rio, who has a 7lb claimer to aid his cause.
Thosedaysaregone (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along 4f out, ridden 2f out and progress to 4th over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong and led 100 yards out, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Mar beating Melliferous (10-11) by 1l, 14 ran.
Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, switched left before last, close up behind leaders flat, stayed on, 4th of 25, 2 1/4l behind Belfast Banter (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Foveros (FR) 14-1 (9-7) Led early, tracked leader and 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place under 3f out, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong, last of 11, 30 3/4l behind Jerandme (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Eskylane (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along after 2 out and some headway in 12th before last, kept on one pace, never a factor, 10th of 22, 15 1/2l behind Drop The Anchor (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Magic Tricks (FR) 80-1 (11-11) Held up, ridden towards rear 2 out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Golden Jewel (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Towards rear, mistake 3 out, some headway in rear of mid-division 2 out, soon pushed along and 11th before last, kept on well run-in, 5th of 22, 9 1/4l behind Drop The Anchor (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Hearts Are Trumps (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led, joined after 3 out and headed after next, pushed along and no extra early straight, weakened, 13th of 22, 27l behind Drop The Anchor (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Uradel (GER) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, some headway 3 out, not fluent next and soon no extra, weakened, 17th of 22, dist behind Drop The Anchor (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Gua Du Large (FR) 8-1 (11-2) A little keen, chased clear leader, off pace in 3rd from 2nd, closed and pushed along from 2 out, effort straight, one pace from before last, 5th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Dreal Deal (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Hurricane Cliff (IRE) 13-8 (11-13) Prominent, a little keen, 4th after 2nd, on terms before 3 out, soon headed, travelling smoothly straight and back on terms, led after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Naas 2m mdn sft in Feb beating Captain Kangaroo (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Ruaille Buaille (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, hampered 5th, progress after 3 out, 5th before next, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 4th entering straight, no extra before last, 8th of 20, 16l behind Heaven Help Us (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Hybery (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and lost place quickly approaching straight, no extra and pulled up before last, at Wexford 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Golden Spear 40-1 (10-11) Slowly into stride, waited with, soon towards rear, kept on same pace without threatening from 3f out, 13th of 20, 17 1/4l behind Starting Monday (10-1) at Curragh 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Great Bear 3-1 (11-13) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 20, 9l behind Genois (11-13) at Naas 1m 7f mdn Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Lignou (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, mistake 3 out and soon dropped to rear, eased after 2 out, completely tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Rescue Package (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Mighty Tom (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Led and clear, jumped slightly left, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd and no impression on leaders when left 2nd at last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Papal Lodge (11-2) at Down Royal 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Bal De Rio (FR) 66-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind On Eagles Wings (11-1) at Naas 1m 7f (1) sft in Mar.
Gold Des Bois (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, some headway on inner approaching 4 out, ridden and no impression in 6th entering straight, hampered and left moderate 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 15 1/2l behind Bythesametoken (10-4) at Wexford 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Grand Partner (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Held up, mistake 5th, soon towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, stayed on run-in, 5th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Mitchouka (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Robinnia (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, hampered 5th, ridden and no impression 2 out, 12th of 20, 31l behind Heaven Help Us (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Presenting Dylan (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) In touch, 3rd at 5th, improved to 2nd 3 out where not fluent, dropped to 5th 2 out where not fluent, ridden and weakened before last where mistake, 10th of 11, 37 3/4l behind Five Helmets (11-8) at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Mar.
