chased leader in 2nd, closer before halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on well run-in
chased leader, slight mistake 5th, closer in 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression in 4th entering straight, no extra after 2 out
chased leader, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and went moderate 3rd after 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
chased leader, 4th and closer halfway, 3rd and ridden approaching straight, no impression when blundered 2 out, no extra, eased in rear run-in, completely tailed off
towards rear, in touch and pushed along after 5 out, no impression after 3 out and no extra early straight, kept on one pace
made all, soon clear, reduced advantage of 2 lengths halfway, travelled well and 4 lengths lead when slight mistake 2 out, pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, held on well
Willie Mullins has a good record in this and has two entries with Paul Townend on six-times hurdles winner Stormy Ireland, who has returned to Ireland following an unsuccessful spell with Paul Nicholls. The stable's Scarpeta hasn't done as well as expected and was 13 lengths behind BEACON EDGE in a Navan Grade 2 in February. The winner had a couple of very smart performers in the places that day and looks set to return to winning ways after a very good run in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The Bosses Oscar was unable to contain Mrs Milner in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham but was conceding 10lb to the winner and in receipt of 5lb looks the main danger to the selection.
French Dynamite (FR) 1-7fav (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 5 out, improved to lead before 2 out, mistake 2 out, asserted entering straight, shaken up briefly before last, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f Yielding in Mar beating Judgement Day (11-7) by 9l, 3 ran.
Turnpike Trip 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 4th entering straight, switched right and no impression in 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Mt Leinster (11-6) at Listowel 1m 6f sft in Sep.
Sixshooter (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Prominent, slight mistake 3 out and under pressure in 3rd, no impression from before straight, soon 4th and one pace, 4th of 5, 31 1/2l behind Jason The Militant (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Feb.
The Bosses Oscar (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden and hung left between last 2, went 2nd before the last where not fluent, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 22, 5l behind Mrs Milner (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Unexpected Depth (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Towards rear, headway after 9th, ridden in 5th after 3 out, progress to 4th after 2 out, 3rd before last, kept on same pace, dropped to 4th closing stages, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-2) at Thurles 3m Yielding in Mar.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 6-5fav (11-4) Tracked leader until led after 1st, 1 length ahead last, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Whitehotchillifili (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, smooth headway on heels of leaders before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace before last, no chance with winner when lost 2nd run-in and weakened into 4th close home, 4th of 15, 5 1/2l behind Flooring Porter (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Department Of War (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Keen, soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, no impression straight, dropped to 3rd approaching 2 out, weakened, jumped left last, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Bapaume (11-4) at Cork 2m Yielding in Mar.
Hannon (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Prominent and led after 1st, pressed 2 out, pushed along and headed early straight, 6th and no impression before last, no extra, 7th of 20, 19 1/2l behind Dandy Mag (10-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Scarpeta (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Waited with behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, a little keen and soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, no impression before next in 5th, 4th again run-in, one pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Beacon Edge (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
