prominent and disputed, led 6th, disputed again from 9th, led before 3 out, ridden entering straight, kept on well under pressure from before last
held up in 4th, slight mistake 2nd, no impression 4 out, weakened, trailing when fell last
led and disputed, headed and slight mistake 6th, 3rd from 8th, progress into 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd from 8th, disputed next, ridden in 2nd before 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, behind from 4th, slight mistake 6th, closer but rear 5 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, moderate 4th entering straight and weakened, completely tailed off
A small but high quality line-up for this hunters' event. Salsify was virtually unbeatable in the top events at his best and won the championship event at Cheltenham twice. He retains some ability as he showed with a victory at Cork in March but is up against top opposition here. FOXROCK, a very close third to Don Poli in the Lexus just over a year ago, was having his second start in this sphere when beating the useful Balnaslow easily at Down Royal. He's only a youngster at this game and can see off the veterans On His Own and First Lieutenant. The former, who was only just behind the selection in the Lexus, fell in the Grand National and only scrambled home in a point earlier this month. The highlight of his career came when beaten a short-head by Lord Windermere in the 2014 Gold Cup. First Lieutenant finished ahead of the selection and On His Own in the Lexus and also fell at Aintree after which his form went to pieces.
Foxrock (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd from 10th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, asserted before last, kept on run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 7f sft in Dec beating Balnaslow (11-7) by 9l, 10 ran.
Salsify (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Towards rear, mistake 1st, ran freely, 7th halfway, progress in 4th 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no extra approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 14 1/2l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Apr.
On His Own (IRE) 4-5 (12-2) Alw pr, cl 3rd 1/2way, ld brfly 8th, hdd 9th, mstk 4out, wo agn early str, jnd apr last, battled best, won at Tinahely 3m sft in Jan beating Usuel Smurfer (12-2) by nk, 13 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 5-4 (12-2) Chsd ldrs in 3rd, pushed brfly, cl 4th aftr 2out until prog bef last & landed 2nd, no ex final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, shd behind Minella For Value (12-2) at Aghabullogue 3m sft in Jan.
Ruairis Cloud (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 9th of 16, dist behind Sweet As A Nut (12-0) at Limerick 2m 7f mdn hvy in Dec.
