led, joined briefly from 8th, still travelling smoothly straight, jumped slightly right last 3, asserted 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily
tracked leader, soon 3rd, slight mistake 6th, closed up 8th, soon briefly on terms, pushed along approaching straight, soon 3rd and no impression, one pace
soon well behind in rear, completed in own time
pushed along briefly 1st, tracked leader, soon 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, pushed along before straight, soon under pressure and attempted to challenge, no impression from 2 out, one pace
A poor turnout numerically but SMASHING has been looking a very bright prospect and can take care of fellow Ryanair entries Ballycasey and Morning Assembly. Henry De Bromhead's charge loves heavy ground and his three victories over fences have come when conditions were very testing, two of them on this track. He'll find Morning Assembly a very difficult opponent after the Grade 1 winning hurdler made a superb comeback after almost two years off when beaten a head by Bridgets Pet at Fairyhouse but should just have the edge. Ballycasey is also in the Grand National where he was brought down last year. A genuine Grade 1 performer at his best he will be better for his reappearance in the Thyestes here last month and should still have plenty to offer. Glenwood For Ever looks outclassed on what he's shown to date.
Smashing (FR) 9-10fav (11-3) Made all, asserted approaching 2 out where mistake, ridden clear before last, ran around slightly approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, eased close home, won at Thurles 2m 2f lst (1) hvy in Jan beating Tennis Cap (11-3) by 5l, 4 ran.
Ballycasey (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Prominent, disputed 4th and led from 7th, slight mistake 9th, headed approaching straight and no impression in 5th 2 out, no extra, 9th of 18, 23 1/4l behind My Murphy (10-5) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Glenwood For Ever (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 12th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Halo Moon (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Morning Assembly (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Soon close up, on terms before 3 out travelling smoothly, narrowly headed and pushed along from 2 out, every chance and stayed on well from before last, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Bridgets Pet (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hvy in Jan.
