close up and disputed lead, not fluent 3 out, led soon after 11th travelling smoothly, headed approaching last where not fluent and no extra, one pace
chased leaders, 4th approaching 5th, no extra from before straight, pulled up before last
a little slow at 1st, waited with towards rear, pushed along after 8th, soon no impression, weakened, completely tailed off
soon prominent, not always fluent jumping, under pressure after 11th, soon no extra, pulled up before last
waited with, 12th approaching 5th, soon some headway, no extra from before straight, pulled up before last
chased leaders, 7th approaching 5th, slight mistake 9th, reminders after 11th, soon no extra
chased leaders early, 9th approaching 5th, lost position 11th and pushed along, soon no impression
soon led and disputed, some slight mistakes, headed soon after 11th, weakened from before straight
waited with, 14th approaching 5th, soon headway, not fluent 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening from before last
waited with, 10th approaching 5th, slight mistake 7th, soon headway, one pace approaching last
waited with, 13th approaching 5th, pushed along briefly from 7th, pushed along again after next, soon no impression
led early, prominent and disputed at times, no extra from before straight
soon chased leaders, not always fluent jumping, 6th approaching 5th, soon headway, one pace approaching last
mid-division early, slight mistake 1st, 8th approaching 5th, progress 8th, effort approaching straight to challenge, led approaching last, quickly asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily
waited with, 11th approaching 5th, headway still travelling smoothly after 11th, one pace approaching last
waited with towards rear, slight mistake 7th, pushed along and no impression after 11th
Highest Benefit took advantage of a very lenient mark on his return to hurdling at Fairyhouse. Despite a 9lb, he is still well treated on his chase form and has a favourite’s chance again under 5lb claimer Trevor Ryan. However, NICOLE’S MILAN could give him a run for his money having shown further improvement when second to Tokyo Getaway at Punchestown. Ice Cool also warrants a mention as he was only beaten half-a-length in a bunch finish at Punchestown last month. Peculiar Genius, Lee Valley Legacy, Ahgetawayoutadat and Cherif De L'Isle are others for the shortlist.
Cherif De L'Isle (FR) 7-2fav (11-3) Prominent, slightly slow at 2nd, 4th from 7th, closed up travelling smoothly and on terms 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra and one pace after, 3rd of 15, 10 1/4l behind Seskinane (10-6) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hvy in Feb.
Fire Away (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and 4th entering straight, no extra after 2 out, weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Royal Thief (11-10) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Jan.
Ballybrowney Jack (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on inner, dropped to mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 6th, at Thurles 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Jan.
Moscowsowhat (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders on outer, 6th and slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression before next, no extra, 9th of 20, dist behind Fakir (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Baily Thunder 33-1 (10-1) Rear of mid-division on outer, headway after 4 out and challenged next, 2nd and ridden after 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 20, 11l behind Fakir (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Peculiar Genius (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, slow 1st, 6th halfway, pushed along after 7th, pecked 5 out and no extra after next, weakened, last of 8, dist behind Valdieu (11-6) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Nicole's Milan (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Soon mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, 3rd next, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge last, every chance run-in, held in 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Tokyo Getaway (11-11) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Sweet Sting (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up off pace in last, some progress from 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, never nearer, 6th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Ballea Fox (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Scotsman's Bay (FR) 100-1 (11-12) Raced in 16th early, soon 15th, kept on same pace from before straight, 13th of 25, 35 1/4l behind Exit Poll (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Jan.
Diamond Grove 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression before next, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Punitive (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Punchers Path (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no extra in rear after 3 out, 16th of 21, dist behind Birdie Blitz (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Ice Cool 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2 out, 3rd entering straight, disputed 2nd at last, stayed on well to strongly press winner, 2nd near line, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Ballea Fox (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Highest Benefit (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Disputed lead early, chased leaders, closed in 2nd approaching straight, slight mistake 2 out, led run-in, kept on well, reduced lead at the finish but in control, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Jan beating Goulane Jessie (10-8) by dht, 9 ran.
Lee Valley Legacy (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-6) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 9th, soon 5th, no impression from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Cepalo Delafayette (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Waited with, 12th from 5th, no extra from before straight, 10th of 17, dist behind Granny Knot (11-10) at Thurles 2m 5f mdn sft in Feb.
All Class (FR) 100-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 16, dist behind The Big Getaway (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Hardy Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Foxy Jacks (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb.
Ahgetawayoutadat (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Soon tracked leaders, pushed along from 3 out, lost place and no extra from before next, last of 9, 30 1/2l behind Highest Benefit (9-11) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Mal De Mer (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, slight mistake 3rd and pushed along briefly, 13th after halfway, slight mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, completely tailed off, last of 18, dist behind Aarons Day (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Olive D'Haguenet (FR) 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, weakened, 14th of 15, dist behind Abraham (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
