chased leaders early, last 6 out, hampered 3 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before straight
chased leaders, moderate 4th from 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
waited with towards rear, closed to track leaders approaching 8th, soon 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out
raced in 2nd, close up 4 out, led next, clear into straight, stayed on strongly, impressive
keen hold, prominent, dropped to 6th 4 out, fell next
led and clear, mistake 7th, reduced lead 4 out, headed next, no impression into straight, kept on same pace
waited with, moderate 5th 3 out, soon no extra
The classy Realt Dubh won this a year ago but just one favourite has won in 10 renewals. FLEMENSTAR is certain to be the market leader and the only doubt is his ability to handle the quick ground but his overall form, especially when beating today's rival Gift Of Dgab 19l in the Arkle at Leopardstown, has the mark of a high-class performer. Rathlin has been going along nicely and completed a hat-trick with an impressive victory over Shot From The Hip at Naas but it's Call The Police who looks the biggest threat. Willie Mullins' charge finished a close second to the top-class Last Instalment in the Grade 1 PJ Moriarty at Leopardstown before a superb run behind Bobsworth in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and will find any flaws in Flemenstar's armoury.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Left in lead from 2nd, pressed when not fluent 2 out, joined last, stayed on best under pressure run-in to assert closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m chs sft in Feb beating Action Master (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Call The Police (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in last trio in touch, tracked leaders 16th, 4th and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Bobs Worth (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
False Economy (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Waited with, closed to track leaders before 2 out, led and stayed on well from last, easily, won at Limerick 2m hdl gd beating Wilde Wit Pleasure (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Flemenstar (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped well, led 7th, pushed along before last and kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar beating Frisco Depot (11-2) by 6l, 3 ran.
Gift Of Dgab (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on easy winner entering straight, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 19l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Rathlin 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 5th until 7th, led again from 8th, asserted entering straight, in command run-in and kept on well, very easily, won at Naas 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Shot From The Hip (11-5) by 9l, 5 ran.
White Star Line (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 4th next, ridden and stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 20, 8l behind Hunt Ball (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
