soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 9th and pushed along, 4th before next, no impression 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last
made all, jumped well, asserted straight, stayed on strongly, easily
chased leader, 3rd before 10th, under pressure and no impression 3 out, dropped to last approaching straight and weakened
took keen hold early, soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 5th, went 2nd before 10th, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along before straight, soon no impression, weakened into 3rd closing stages
in rear, some headway but no impression 3 out, went remote 3rd before straight, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd closing stages
The betting suggested Force Of Forces would get his act together in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month and Willie Mullins’ charge duly obliged. High Sparrow followed success in a bumper with a victory at Punchestown on his hurdling bow while The Conditional is another maiden winner having scored at Thurles recently. But Minella Fair could only manage third back in novice company at Naas last time and has a bit to find on today’s terms with GUN DIGGER (NAP). The latter faces an easier task than when runner-up in a Grade 3 novice event at Thurles last month to stablemate and last week’s Cheltenham winner Blow By Blow and he gets the vote on that form.
Gun Digger (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd after 2 out, left moderate 2nd last, no extra, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Blow By Blow (11-0) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Minella Fair (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, pushed along and dropped to 5th 4 out, last next, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Uradel (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f sft in Feb.
The Conditional (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer before 3 out, disputed after 3 out, ridden before last, slight mistake last and soon 2nd, kept on well run-in, led at line, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn hvy in Mar beating Caltex (11-4) by hd, 6 ran.
Force Of Forces (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Made all, took keen hold, slight mistake 4 out, went clear travelling well after 2 out, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb beating Ask Heather (11-5) by 19l, 6 ran.
High Sparrow (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Prominent and disputed lead, mistake 5th, led 8th, pushed along and headed briefly approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb beating Caltex (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
