held up towards rear, good headway into close 2nd after 5th, led from 7th until fell 10th
tracked leaders when fell 2nd
prominent early, in rear from 5th, mistake 5 out and briefly pushed along, headway to go 2nd after 4 out, led travelling best before 2 out, ridden after last and kept on under pressure
took keen hold early and led after 1st, mistake 4th, mistake 7th and headed, left in front again after 10th, strongly pressed and headed before 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, not match winner
led early, tracked leader after 1st, pushed along after 4 out, moderate 3rd and no impression before 2 out
tracked leaders mainly 4th, slight mistake 5th, driven along approaching 4 out, no extra in moderate 4th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
BALLYMAK will start long odds-on here and is impossible to oppose. Gordon Elliott's charge, unbeaten in two points and a bumper, was a useful hurdler who has done very well over fences without winning and his close seconds to Ad Idem and Arabella Boy is form far superior to that of these rivals. West Ship Master had only shown a glimpse of ability before a decent effort behind Another Flutter at Thurles and looks next best as Farmaland and Inverglen were beaten a long way on their chasing debuts in the race won by Tharawaat here in December.
Ad Man (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge approaching 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 6th of 18, 24l behind Allee Garde (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl in Feb.
Ballymak (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, stayed on to 2nd before last where challenged, kept on run-in, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Arabella Boy (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f beg chase hvy in Feb.
Farmaland (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in moderate 6th and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace, 4th close home, 4th of 10, well behind Tharawaat (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Inverglen (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened before next, 6th of 10, well behind Tharawaat (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Shouson Hill Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on outer, 7th halfway, driven along and weakened 5 out, behind when mistake 3 out and soon pulled up, in a race won by Slippers Percy (11-9) at Thurles 3m beg chase sft in Jan, 15 ran.
West Ship Master (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, led again from 7th, strongly pressed and joined entering straight, headed 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Another Flutter (11-9) at Thurles 3m beg chase hvy in Feb.
