held up behind leaders, slight mistake 5th, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 6 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner from last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd close home
chased leader in 2nd and close up at times, slight mistake 7th and 6 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 3rd before 2 out, no extra before last
made all, ridden before last, kept on strongly run-in to go clear
soon held up, mistakes 6 out and 5 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, under pressure in 5th before 2 out, 4th and no impression when slight mistake last, kept on one pace
mistake 1st and towards rear, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened, trailing before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up early, mid-division from 3rd, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, under pressure before 2 out, kept on in 3rd from last, just held for 2nd close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, lost place 7th and soon pushed along briefly, towards rear and slight mistake 5 out, weakened from next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra from 3 out
Gavin Cromwell places his horses as well as any trainer and ELUSIVE IVY (NAP) is the type he does so well with. A winner over hurdles at last year's Punchestown Festival, she just outstayed Powersbomb over fences at Leopardstown in January and the runner-up did the form no harm at Cheltenham. Don't Touch It looks a threat despite a big weight as the Grade 1-winning hurdler has done well in novice company over fences and could be well handicapped on a mark of 143. Three Stars had no chance against Altior in the Arkle nor against Min in the Racing Post at Leopardstown so this sort of company looks a more realistic target while Third Opinion gained a facile victory on his opening run for Gordon Elliott at Clonmel.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, 2nd from 2nd, moderate 2nd from 4th, slight mistake 7th, closed briefly after 4 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, closer after last, no impression closing stages, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Great Field (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Three Stars (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division on outside, not fluent 2nd and soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Hurricane Ben (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) In rear, remote 6th halfway, no impression on easy winner in 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace to go 2nd run-in, 2nd of 6, 32l behind Great Field (11-2) at Thurles 2m 2f lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Neverushacon (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, jumped right, left 4th from 4th, outpaced after 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out, 4th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Marracudja (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Prickly (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 4th, soon raced in 8th, improved to get on terms approaching 2 out, headed between last 2, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Black Zero (10-1) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp sft in Mar.
Elusive Ivy (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, soon towards rear, improved 7th, tracked leaders in 4th approaching straight, switched right approaching last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jan beating Powersbomb (11-8) by hd, 11 ran.
Catalaunian Fields (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Edwulf (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Lip Service (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer 2 out, soon ridden, left 3rd last, kept on run-in into 2nd, pressed winner close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Tisamystery (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Third Opinion (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Soon raced in 5th, a little keen, headway before 7th, 2nd straight travelling smoothly, on terms approaching 2 out where left clear, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m sft in Mar beating Game Puppeteer (11-12) by 22l, 9 ran.
Cassells Rock (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Lost ground start, detached in rear, no danger 3 out, 8th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Lake Takapuna (10-6) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
