tracked leaders, ridden in 4th when mistake 3 out, moderate 3rd next, went moderate 2nd at last, kept on without reaching winner run-in
disputed lead, headed 7th, disputed lead again briefly 4 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened from 2 out
held up behind leaders on inner, 6th halfway, pushed along briefly 8th, progress and pushed along entering straight, headway to lead 2 out, went clear when bad mistake last, ridden and kept on well under pressure run-in
disputed lead, not fluent 1st and 4th, led from 7th, joined briefly 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last
held up in last, pushed along and trailing 5th, some modest progress and ridden 3 out, went moderate 5th at last, kept on one paced run-in
always towards rear, ridden in remote 7th when mistake 3 out, no impression
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden next, 5th 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd after 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened
Tony Martin won this last year with Bog Warrior and all eyes this time will be on his Flemenstar as he makes his long-awaited reappearance after injury. Once regarded as a possible Gold Cup winner, he hasn't been seen since landing a Grade 2 on this track in November 2013 but he should be fit enough to do himself justice. Argocat, a Grade 2 winner at Gowran last February, is another feeling his way back and a couple of recent runs over hurdles should have put him straight. Bright New Dawn has been consistent at a high level for a long time though he hasn't won as many as he should have and produced a rare disappointing effort at Gowran. FELIX YONGER beat the useful Mallowney in a Cork Grade 2 and followed up with a victory over hurdles so he arrives in very good shape, which could be enough to see him home. Donald McCain's Desert Cry has reverted to hurdling for his last two runs but has been unable to take advantage of a much more lenient mark than over fences. Rathlin has been well beaten in his two latest starts at this level.
Argocat (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, close up and challenged 3 out, disputed 2 out, soon ridden, no extra in 5th when mistake last, weakened, 11th of 17, 13l behind Fletcher (10-11) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Led 2nd where slight mistake, not fluent 8th and joined, not fluent 9th, soon headed, dropped to 4th and pushed along straight, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 5, 15l behind Champagne Fever (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 2nd, on terms 8th, soon led until joined approaching 2 out where headed and slight mistake, led again approaching last, stayed on best run-in,, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl sft in Feb beating Cardinal Palace (10-13) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Flemenstar (IRE) 1-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 3 out, ridden out to maintain advantage run-in, won at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Nov '13 beating Days Hotel (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Desert Cry (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden and struggling before 3 out, plugged on run-in, never involved, 8th of 23, 16l behind Ebony Express (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs.
Marito (GER) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, took keen hold, 8th at 4th, not fluent 10th, 6th into straight, no impression, 7th at last, no extra,, 7th of 10, 18l behind She's Got Grit (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcap ch sft in Feb.
Rathlin 16-1 (11-4) Held up, last from 2nd, 4th at 5th, raced on far side straight, disputed 2nd 2 out, left 2nd and not match winner from last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Mallowney (11-7) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up behind leaders, left 3rd 5 out, close 3rd when slight mistake 3 out, went 2nd and pushed along after 2 out, disputed lead and ridden approaching last, not fluent at last and headed, rallied well and stayed on well to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft in Feb beating Dogora (11-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
