settled in rear, good progress to track leaders in 4th approaching 2 out, smooth headway to lead at last, soon ridden and found little under pressure, headed late run-in
rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th approaching 2 out, soon no extra
always prominent, disputed lead until headed after 3rd, disputed again before 4 out, headed under pressure 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace
prominent, disputed lead until headed after 3rd, headway to dispute again before 3 out, driven along and headed next, no extra from before last
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 3rd briefly 4 out, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, weakened
held up in rear, in touch until driven along and no extra after 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace from before last without threatening
always towards rear, never a factor
prominent, led after 3rd until joined before 4 out, headed 3 out and soon no extra under pressure, weakened
held up towards rear on outer, good headway approaching 3 out, led next, soon strongly pressed and headed at last, rallied under pressure to lead late run-in
Willie Mullins has won this for the past four years and his main hope BLACKSTAIRMOUNTAIN is taken to continue the sequence despite less than flattering form figures. A Grade 1 winner at Punchestown a year ago, he was having only his third start of the season when a decent seventh in the County Hurdle and will be fresher than most. The biggest threat looks to be the mare Voler La Vedette as she had Oscar Dan Dan and Stonemaster behind when landing the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February. Gimli's Rock has been running well on the Flat and is a class act on his day over timber but Son Amix, who is running very well at present, may just prefer further and Donnas Palm is blinkered for the first time and has a little to find.
Blackstairmountain (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway after 2 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, never reached leaders, 7th of 26, 4l behind Final Approach (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Jumbo Rio (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Moderate 3rd, took closer order before 3 out, short of room briefly 2 out, no impression from before last, one pace, 4th of 6, 10l behind Mourad (11-8) at Gowran Park 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Oscar Dan Dan (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in last, mistake 5th, ridden after 8th, no impression and outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 5th of 8, 13l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, 8th and pushed along after 3 out, 7th 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from before last, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Shinrock Paddy (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) in Jan.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leader in 2nd early, 3rd after 3rd, ridden and no extra entering straight, kept on same pace, last of 3, 11l behind Dunguib (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Stonemaster (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Soon settled in 7th, closed up 4 out, pushed along in 3rd before straight, 2nd 3 out, led next, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hdl in Mar beating Won In The Dark (11-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Deutschland (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Fell 1st, in a race won by Alfa Beat (10-10) at Listowel 3m chs (1) gd in Sep, 18 ran.
Silk Hall (UAE) 80-1 (11-1) Always behind, 25th of 28, well behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar '10.
Son Amix (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, soon ridden, kept on under pressure, no impression with winner flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 23, 4l behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Voler La Vedette (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 5th 3 out, 3rd travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Rigour Back Bob (11-8) by 2l, 9 ran.
