close up, 4th before straight, soon no impression under pressure
close up, 4th 4f out, lost place and no extra from before straight
chased leaders, 5th before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace under pressure
mid-division, 12th over 6f out, kept on same pace from before straight
towards rear, weakened from over 4f out, tailed off
chased leaders, 8th before straight, soon no impression under pressure
towards rear, closer in 9th before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening
towards rear for most, no impression approaching straight
held up, towards rear and ridden before straight, kept on same pace without threatening
mid-division, 10th over 6f out, no impression under pressure from before straight
soon mid-division, closer in 6th before straight, soon ridden to chase winner, no impression in 3rd and kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out
soon led, ran wide 5f out, headed before straight, soon no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
soon mid-division, 10th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
towards rear, progress into 7th before straight, ridden to chase winner in 2nd 1 1/2f out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
always prominent, led travelling well before straight, ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably
soon mid-division, 11th over 6f out, no extra from before straight
After impressive victories at Clonmel and Leopardstown, Shot From The Hip went to Cheltenham strongly fancied for the Champion Bumper but went out like a light after holding a prominent position early on. He's capable of better than that as are Hidden Universe and Up Ou That, who were also well beaten though there appears no apparent reason why any of them should finish in front of TAVERN TIMES, who ran a superb race in fourth. Thomas Mullins' charge had looked a promising type when scoring at Fairyhouse in October and may just have been short of peak fitness at The Festival. Tornado Shay was a long odds-on chance when just failing to land a Grade 2 at Navan in December and didn't run badly in this race a year ago. Endless Intrigue, who finished runner-up to Cousin Vinny in this two years ago, was having his first run since when fifth at Fairyhouse earlier this month and will have come on for the run.
Andlau (FR) 4-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway in 2nd 5f out, led 4f out, ridden and challenged entering straight, disputed inside final furlong, asserted last 50 yards, won at Gowran Park 2m N H flat in Mar beating Bran Castle (11-11) by 1l, 17 ran.
Aughnacurraveel (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) 3rd of 16, 6l behind Priests Road (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat hvy.
Bubbly Bruce (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, effort on inside over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, never on terms, 10th of 24, 21l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Caught By Witness (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Held up in touch, smooth headway to join leaders over 4f out, shaken up to lead well over 1f out, soon clear, readily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) hvy in Feb beating Adamo (11-3) by 6l, 6 ran.
Heavy Duty (IRE) 33-1 (11-13) Never a factor, 11th of 18, 38l behind Ballyburke (11-10) at Navan 2m N H flat sft in Feb.
Old Charm 13-2 (11-9) Towards rear, headway to track leaders from 4f out, soon 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Acey (12-0) at Limerick 2m 3f N H flat in Mar.
Old McDonald 4-6fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec beating Inga Bird (10-9) by 6l, 8 ran.
Oneeightofamile (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, good headway travelling well from before straight where wide, 4th under 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 2m 2f N H flat std in Feb beating Turner Brown (11-11) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Shot From The Hip (GER) 3-1fav (11-5) Raced keenly on outside, headway to join leader after 3f, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 20th of 24, 36l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Tavern Times (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, driven and headway over 3f out, soon chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 24, 18l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Tornedo Shay (IRE) 1-3fav (11-11) Held up in rear, smooth headway into 3rd entering straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, ran on strongly last 100 yards, just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Drumbaloo (12-0) at Navan 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 sft in Dec.
Up Ou That (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 24, 27l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Whispering Hills (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 10l behind Megastar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd.
Bohola Lady 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, close 3rd 3f out, disputed lead travelling easily 2f out, led under 1f out, pushed out close home, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nhf gf in Oct beating Milanette (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Oilily (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, good headway from 6f out, led approaching straight, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Our Girl Salley (11-9) at Limerick 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (Lady Riders) (5-7yo) in Mar.
Hidden Universe (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, 2nd and smooth headway 3f out, led travelling well entering straight, edged clear inside final furlong, not extended, won at Limerick 2m 4yo nhf sft beating Si C'etait Vrai (11-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Munsaab (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Towards rear, closer in 8th approaching straight, ridden to chase leaders from 2f out, closed in 2nd inside final furlong, ran on well to lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m N H flat sft in Feb beating Allee Garde (11-13) by nk, 15 ran.
Endless Intrigue (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind Our Girl Salley (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat hvy.
