mid-division, in touch in 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon 3rd, went 2nd and mistake last, stayed on well to lead close home
tracked leaders, close 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from next, dropped to 5th near line
settled in rear, pushed along and no impression from 3 out, eased from next
tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden in 2nd from 2 out, led approaching last, kept on run-in, headed close home
mid-division, close 5th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace straight, went 4th near line
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 4 out, led after next, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression from 3 out
led and clear early, joined from 4 out, headed and ridden after next, weakened from 2 out
always behind
Willie Mullins had five original entries and relies on MAGGIE CONNOLLY, who can take this. A winning bumper, she won a 2m2f maiden hurdle at Limerick in December and may find this on the short side but Ruby Walsh is likely to ensure a strong gallop and her stamina can see her home in testing condition. Ballysteen is an obvious threat having been placed in a Listed hurdle after his victory at Cork in November. He was never going the pace when tailed off in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time but this is a big drop in class. Abou Ben has had very little racing for his age but has some very strong form and was well supported when duly obliging at Navan last month. Tofino Bay is another lacking experience and may just need the run but his victory over a huge field at Punchestown a year ago was a very promising effort. Listed winner Darwins Fox is another to consider an an interesting race.
Abou Ben (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway in 10th entering straight, 7th 3 out, swift headway on outer to lead 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed last, narrowly headed run-in, led again on line, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Its The Ice I Like (11-12) by ns, 18 ran.
Ballysteen (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to last and pushed along 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, weakened and tailed off, last of 5, well behind Cash And Go (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Dec.
Bob Lingo (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Soon led, headed 7 out, 6th 5 out, no extra approaching straight, 8th of 18, well behind On His Own (10-2) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs sft in Jan.
Darwins Fox (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders when mistake 2nd, 6th halfway, some headway approaching 2 out, soon no extra, last of 8, 19l behind Dare To Doubt (11-0) at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb '11.
Tofino Bay (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge entering straight, led early run-in, edged right and kept on under pressure, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb '11 beating Popcorn (11-12) by nk, 22 ran.
Fearchar (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, no impression from 5 out, 13th of 20, 45l behind Larkin (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Aug.
Maggie Connolly (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Tillahow (11-1) at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Prince Of Leisure (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Soon prominent, on terms approaching 7th, soon led, clear 6 out, reduced lead after 4 out, headed approaching straight, no extra from 3 out, 5th of 15, 24l behind Gentle Alice (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Jan.
Lucks Certain (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, never a factor, 14th of 17, 50l behind Walden Prince (11-4) at Roscommon 2m mdn hdl gd in Aug.
Sir Ector (USA) 66-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 30l behind Burn And Turn (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Anna Montana (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Close up in 2nd, ridden entering straight, no extra under 2f out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Mutasareb (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan (flat).
