mid-division on outside, chased leaders and effort turning in, one pace in 3rd before last, kept on but no chance with clear pair flat
chased leaders on inside, driven after 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened before last
held up behind, struggling before 2 out, ridden and stayed on into mid-division before last, never pace to get involved
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, driven and unable to quicken turning in, weakened and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened before last
in touch, dropped to mid-division 5th, headway on outside after 3 out, not fluent next, chased winner between last 2, ridden and edged left before last, kept on but always held flat
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before last
made most to before 7th, with leader, led again 4 out to next, chased winner, ridden and weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 2 out, ridden turning in, stayed on into 4th after last, no impression with leaders
held up, always behind, lost touch 2 out, pulled up before last
held up behind, outpaced 2 out, some headway into mid-division between last 2, never threatened leaders, weakened before last
raced keenly, in touch, lost place before 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, headway after 3 out, driven to chase leaders between last 2, no impression in 4th before last, ridden and weakened flat
raced freely and travelled well virtually throughout, jumped into lead 3 out, came toward stands side between last 2, ridden before last, stayed on well under pressure flat
in touch on outside, lost place when ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
never better than mid-division, behind from halfway, eased and pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led before 7th, headed 4 out, in touch, lost place 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
tracked leaders, lost place when hit 7th, struggling 4 out, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, still there when blundered 2 out, not recover and soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
held up behind, smooth headway before 2 out, effort to challenge on inside turning in, soon driven and unable to go with leaders, weakened last
It took a while for the penny to drop with Lisnagar Oscar but he did well to hold off subsequent easy winner Dickie Diver at Chepstow and thumped Ask Ben and Stoney Mountain in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time when reverting to 3m. Barry Geraghty has chosen Birchdale over Dickie Diver and the step up to 3m should be well within his compass, though he lacks a bit of experience. A similar comment applies to Derrinross but he did win decent contests at Cork and Limerick in December and has been well rested. Allaho beat Minella Indo in a Grade 3 at Clonmel last month but the latter is entitled to get closer on this easier ground and could be interesting at bigger odds. Five-year-old don’t have a great record in this but COMMANDER OF FLEET looked a stayer to follow when getting the better of Rhinestone at Leopardstown. He should be even more effective over this longer trip given he won a point over 3m on yielding ground a year ago.
Allaho (FR) 10-3fav (10-13) Soon tracked leaders and a little keen, raced in 3rd for most, 2nd straight, not fluent 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Clonmel 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Feb beating Minella Indo (11-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
Ask Ben (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led, strongly challenged approaching 3 out, headed after next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Lisnagar Oscar (10-12) at Haydock 3m (1) gd in Feb.
Aye Aye Charlie 40-1 (11-0) Held up well in rear, not always fluent, outpaced and well held before 2 out, kept on last and went never dangerous 6th flat, 6th of 12, 28 1/2l behind Paisley Park (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Jan.
Birchdale (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd off last bend, challenging when left well clear last, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan beating Buster Valentine (11-5) by 18l, 5 ran.
Cap York (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Led and disputed, led after 6 out, pressed 3 out, ridden after next, joined before last, left in lead last, kept on run-in, won at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb beating Mormon (10-4) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Commander Of Fleet (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Waited with, 10th after 6th, soon progress to chase leaders, slight mistake 8th, challenged from before final hurdle, soon on terms, led inside final furlong and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb beating Rhinestone (11-10) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Darlac (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place before 5 out, 7th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Sykes (11-8) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Derrinross (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Led, not fluent at 9th and 10th, ridden and 1 length clear at last, kept on best under pressure run-in, won at Limerick 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Defi Bleu (11-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dickie Diver (IRE) 3-10fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, mistake 3 out, went 2nd from next, led before not fluent last, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Feb beating Kingsplace (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Dinons (FR) 3-1jfav (11-8) Tracked leaders, close enough in 6th when badly hampered 3 out, soon eased and virtually pulled up, 7th of 8, 29 1/2l behind Easy Game (11-1) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Dorrells Pierji (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, soon 2nd, on terms after 9th, soon led, pressed from before final hurdle where slight mistake, soon joined, headed before straight, no extra, 8th of 16, 20 3/4l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
First Approach (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Mid-division early, 9th approaching halfway, pushed along after 7th, soon headway, kept on without threatening straight, 4th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Lisnagar Oscar (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to lead approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 3m (1) gd in Feb beating Ask Ben (11-1) by 10l, 9 ran.
Minella Indo (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Soon led, jumped slightly left 3 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Allaho (10-13) at Clonmel 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Nadaitak 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, hit next, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Doncaster 3m (1) gd in Jan beating Truckers Lodge (10-12) by 22l, 4 ran.
Rhinestone (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 7th approaching halfway, progress 6th, challenged from before final hurdle, soon on terms, headed and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Rockpoint 22-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, lost place approaching when slow 6th, beaten 3 out, 6th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Lisnagar Oscar (10-12) at Haydock 3m (1) gd in Feb.
Stoney Mountain (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, under pressure 5 out, blundered 2 out, stayed on into 3rd closing stages, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Lisnagar Oscar (10-12) at Haydock 3m (1) gd in Feb.
Alsa Mix (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Champ (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Salsaretta (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, bad mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
