held up towards rear, no impression before 3 out
towards rear, unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, weakened approaching 3 out, completely tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th before 2 out, 5th last, no impression run-in
mid-division, ridden and no extra before straight
chased leaders early, 8th approaching 4th, sllight mistake 5th, towards rear and niggled briefly 5 out, ridden in 8th entering straight, moderate 6th 2 out, stayed on in 3rd last, led run-in, strongly pressed, all out close home, just held on
led, headed 6th, led again before 2 out, ridden before last where slight mistake, headed run-in and no extra
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to 2nd last, stayed on to challenge run-in, just denied
held up towards rear, headway into 6th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, 6th entering straight, ridden into 4th 2 out, weakened before last, eased and tailed off
mid-division early, swift headway into 2nd after 3rd, led 6th, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra before last
Some top-class hurdlers have won this down the years and this season's renewal looks well up to standard. Gagewell Flyer never threatened and was pulled up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back over the shorter trip here. Stablemate Lambro won easily at Naas last month and is still on the upgrade, while Perfect Smile looked a decent prospect before the turn of the year and is upped in distance after getting outpaced over 2m1f at Aintree. Gift Of Dgab has only once failed to finish in the first two in seven starts over timber and Pineau De Re's form also stands up to the closest scrutiny. But Philip Fenton also saddles LAST INSTALMENT, who may yet prove to be a lot better than he's shown so far. The six-year-old is the type keeping finding more when required and his accurate jumping will stand him in good stead here off what is sure to be a strong pace.
Gagewell Flyer (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) In rear, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Bobs Worth (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
Byerley Bear (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Close up, 3rd before straight, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 7, 11l behind Ruler Of All (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) sft in Mar.
Drumbaloo (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, kept on, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar beating Rathnaroughy (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Flemenstar (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, good headway to lead travelling best before 3 out, drew clear before last, stayed on well, easily, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Mar beating Rattan (11-12) by 9l, 18 ran.
Gift Of Dgab (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Soon close up, led 5 out, strongly pressed and narrowly headed before 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Jack Cool (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl.
He's Our Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, led briefly travelling well before last, headed early run-in and no extra under pressure, 3rd of 25, 2 1/2l behind Gift Of Dgab (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Lambro (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Mid-division on inner, headway from 4 out, close 3rd travelling well 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Naas 3m mdn hdl sft in Mar beating Portrait King (11-12) by 6l, 20 ran.
Last Instalment (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Close up, jumped well, led 5th, soon headed, led again before straight, strongly pressed run-in, just held on, won at Limerick 2m 4f nh nov hdl beating Farrells Fancy (11-6) by hd, 16 ran.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden and went 2nd after 2 out, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dilshaan's Prize (11-8) at Naas 2m nh nov hdl sft in Mar.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway before 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 6th of 13, 16l behind Topolski (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Pineau De Re (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Raced 2nd, ridden in close 3rd 3 out, disputed lead briefly next, soon headed and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-8) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Aughnacurraveel (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 20l behind Oscars Well (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
