mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, no impression in 4th from last
tracked leader, ridden and lost place after 2 out, no impression before last
mid-division on inside, mistake 3 out, outpaced next, never on terms, weakened before last
behind, mistake 3rd, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure from last, never near leaders
led, not fluent 4 out, driven and headed between last 2, no impression from last
mid-division, lost place 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace under pressure, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division on outer, headway after 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened last
held up behind, steady headway after 3 out, close up next, led going well before last, ridden and kept on well flat
behind, outpaced 4 out, never a threat
tracked leaders, not clear run on inside after 2 out, driven to challenge before last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra final 75 yards
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakening when mistake next, soon behind
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led narrowly between last 2, headed before last where not fluent, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair flat
Three recent winners of this contested the previous year’s Champion Bumper. Ballyandy won that Grade 1 race 12 months ago and everything finally dropped into place over hurdles at Newbury last month. He will be a major contender here as a likely strong pace will suit. High Bridge was sixth in the bumper last year but has an unblemished record over timber and shouldn’t be ignored, though Alex Ferguson can’t use his claim in this. Melon is one of the talking horses at this year’s Festival and could be anything after easily landing the odds in a Leopardstown maiden on his jumping debut, though his comparative lack of experience is a concern and he’s only one of four Willie Mullins runners. BUNK OFF EARLY (NAP) only found the smart Bacardys too good in the Deloitte at Leopardstown last month and that has been a good trial for this in the past. The Zebedee gelding is taken to upstage his stable companions and also the Henderson pair River Wylde and Beyond Conceit.
Ballyandy 3-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led narrowly going well before next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held on well, won at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb beating Movewiththetimes (11-2) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Beyond Conceit (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Pulled hard, held up tracking leaders in close 5th, challenged in 3rd and hit 2 out, soon ridden, sustained challenge run-in, stayed on gamely to lead last strides, won at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb beating Topofthegame (11-5) by nk, 8 ran.
Bunk Off Early (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, took keen hold, 7th at 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, closed up travelling smoothly from 2 out, pushed along to lead approaching last, headed from 100yds out and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Bacardys (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f (1) sft in Feb.
Capital Force (IRE) 4-9fav (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd before 4th, led before 3 out, went on from before straight, reduced lead before last, kept on run-in, just held on, won at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Feb beating Sharps Choice (11-4) by hd, 18 ran.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 4-9fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd and took keen hold, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, joined at last, kept on under pressure run-in, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mick Jazz (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Crack Mome (FR) 4-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd on inner, 2nd and not fluent 2 out, improved to dispute lead entering straight, pushed along approaching last, mistake at last and ridden, soon headed, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Any Second Now (11-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Elgin 3-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on insde, went 2nd 2 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind River Wylde (11-6) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Glaring 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leading trio, not fluent 2nd, went 3rd 5th, 2nd on long run before 2 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, not recover and soon eased, 5th of 7, 24 3/4l behind Elgin (11-5) at Kempton 2m (2) gd in Dec.
High Bridge Evensfav (11-12) With leader, led 2 out, quickened clear between last 2, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Feb beating Azzerti (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Labaik (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Reluctant to race and started completely tailed off, always well behind, 6th of 7, dist behind Forge Meadow (10-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Magna Cartor 9-2 (11-11) Led, headed 2nd, led again after 5th, ridden and pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Orchard Road (10-12) at Limerick 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Melon 4-9fav (11-10) A little keen, chased leaders, 3rd from 3rd, slight mistake 5th, closer in 2nd from 3 out, on terms on inner before straight travelling smoothly and soon led, asserted approaching last where mistake, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn gd in Jan beating Broken Soul (11-12) by 10l, 13 ran.
Pingshou (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden and every chance approaching last, 4th and no extra flat, 4th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Coo Star Sivola (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan.
River Wylde (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on outside, led travelling well approaching 2 out, ridden between last two, in command when edged left under pressure run-in, stayed on strongly to go clear, won at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Elgin (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
