mid-division, slight mistake 11th, no impression from next, never a factor
rear of mid-division when bad mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, dropped to rear and mistakes after, some progress into 8th when bad mistake 3 out, no impression
led and disputed, headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, looked held in 2nd when fell 2 out
mid-division, closer in 4th 3 out, soon ridden, left 3rd 2 out, 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, slight mistake 10th and ridden along in last, some progress 3 out, left moderate 5th 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden along before 5 out, 6th 3 out, no extra from next
led and disputed, led 5 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, pulled up quickly after 6th, dismounted
mid-division on inner and took keen hold, closer in 5th when fell when fell 5 out
rear of mid-division, progress into 7th 3 out, soon ridden, 5th when left 4th next, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening run-in
mid-division on inner, ridden and no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, close 3rd 3 out, improved to lead before 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well from last
always behind, pushed along briefly 3rd, weakened from 6 out, never a factor
Unoccupied needs a thorough test of stamina which he had when finishing first past the post over 3m4f in the Ulster National at Downpatrick last month but unfortunately he impeded the runner-up and lost the race. To make matters worse he's been raised 6lb though it will still be a surprise if he's not thereabouts. Hidden Crack, who was over 20l back in fourth, looks held but BALLYSTEEN went to Thurles last month for only his fifth start over fences and came home a very easy winner. Connections can't be unhappy with a 3lb rise and a follow-up looks on the cards. Knocklong has yet to score over fences and looks a few pounds high but Betterthanalright ran his best race for a long time at Gowran last month and is at the right end of the weights.
Alf Wright (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Pumbaa (11-0) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Dec.
Knocklong (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, fell 8 out, in a race won by My Murphy (11-10) at Navan 3m nov chs sft in Mar, 16 ran.
Ballysteen (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leader, moderate 2nd halfway, left in lead 6 out, ridden entering straight, kept on well under pressure from before last, pulled clear run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase sft in Mar beating Bar Stool Bob (11-12) by 10l, 15 ran.
On The Way Out (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, progress into 4th before halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight and no impression before last, no extra, 4th of 14, 10l behind Foritsa (9-4) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs (10yo+) in Mar.
Unoccupied 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 6 out, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden and disputed from 3 out, led before last, kept on run-in, strongly pressed and drifted left inside final 100 yards, kept on close home (finished 1st - placed 2nd), 2nd of 15 Hidden Horizons (10-3) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 sft in Mar.
Fever Pitch (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, towards rear 5 out, soon no impression, 9th of 16, 38l behind Refused A Name (10-12) at Navan 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 in Mar.
Prince Of Milan (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Led, headed before 5 out, soon ridden in 3rd, no extra appproaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 16, 19l behind Do Be Doin' (10-12) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Mar.
Tullintain (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Led, joined 3rd, headed after 5th, 2nd 4 out, soon ridden and no extra in 5th approaching 2 out, weakened, 7th of 14, 38l behind Foritsa (9-4) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs (10yo+) in Mar.
Hidden Crack 14-1 (10-8) Chased leader in 2nd, led 9th, disputed after 10th, slight mistake and led 6 out, headed after 4 out, soon ridden in 3rd, no extra 3 out, dropped to 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 21l behind Hidden Horizons (10-3) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 sft in Mar.
Ross Na Righ (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, 8th 5 out, no extra after 3 out and pulled up before next,, in a race won by Thelobstercatcher (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan, 14 ran.
Hans Crescent (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Towards rear, improved from 6th, 9th before straight, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 15l behind Once And Always (10-3) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy in Mar.
Betterthanalright (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Towards rear, steady progress to chase leaders in 3rd after 9th, ridden early straight and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Carry Each Other (11-3) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Mar.
Notimetoserve (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th after 5 out, ridden entering straight, kept on into 4th 2 out, close 3rd last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Knock Beauty (10-5) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Mar.
Bourbon Ellie (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 6th, 13th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Day Dream Boy (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 in Jan.
