held up in 4th early, rear from 10th, behind from 12th, mistake 7 out, not fluent 5 out, closer entering straight, 3rd after 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to press leader last, soon led run-in, asserted closing stages
led, headed 3rd and tracked leader, disputed from 9th to 11th, close up and disputed from 7 out, niggled along briefly before 5 out where slight mistake, soon 2nd, ridden entering straight, stayed on to lead before last, pressed last, soon headed run-in, kept on same pace
held up in rear, slight mistake 6th, 4th from 10th, slight mistake 6 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, slight mistake 3 out, no extra in 4th and mistake 2 out, weakened and tailed off
tracked leader, led 3rd, joined at times from 9th, slight mistake 12th, led 5 out, went slightly left and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, soon no extra in 3rd, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders in 3rd, 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, pulled up 3 out
FERNS LOCK beat Billaway by 20 lengths at Thurles in January and is unbeaten in three starts between the flags and the same number of hunter-chases. The latter wasn't ready at Thurles and made amends at Naas before falling at Cheltenham in a race he'd won in 2022 and finished runner-up the previous two years. His stablemate Annamix was a long way behind him at Naas and was held when falling in the race the selection won at Gowran last month. Er Dancer had Vis Ta Loi four lengths behind at Oldtown in February but both have plenty to find.
Annamix (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, not fluent jumping, mistake 3rd, slow 6th, not fluent 11th and slight mistake 4 out, in touch in 5th before 3 out, 4th after 3 out, ridden and no impression in 4th when fell last, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hvy in Mar.
Billaway (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Chased leaders on inside, hit 4th (water) and lost place, went right next, not fluent 6th, fell 10th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) sft in Mar.
Er Dancer (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, not fluent 6th, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, no extra, 4th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Ultimate Optimist (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Ferns Lock 1-4fav (12-0) Made all and raced wide, soon went on, 10 lengths lead halfway, reduced lead before 3 out, went on again travelling well after 3 out, kept on well, unextended, very easily, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hvy in Mar beating Lough Derg Spirit (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Vis Ta Loi (FR) 5-2 (11-11) Ld, 3l adv from 6th, b mstk 3out, jnd 2out & hdd aftr 2out, rallied & qckr jmp to ld last, ko & went clr flat, won at Knockanohill 3m sft in Mar beating Dashing Perk (12-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
