mid-division, 9th 3 out, no extra next and weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, 6th 3 out, no extra approaching next, weakened
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, 10th 3 out, ridden in 8th approaching last, no extra
chased leaders, 11th and driven along 3 out, no extra
rear of mid-division, never a factor, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th 3 out, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression and kept on one pace run-in
led, strongly pressed 2 out and headed approaching straight, soon no extra and weakened
mid-division on outer, 8th 2 out, no extra approaching last
always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, joined issue 2 out and soon led, strongly pressed approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in, headed and no extra closing stages
rear of mid-division, 7th 3 out, headway approaching last and every chance early run-in, no extra under pressure in 3rd closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, driven along in 4th 2 out, headway to challenge in straight and disputed briefly last, no extra early run-in and weakened
mid-division, 10th 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 2 out and no extra in 7th last, weakened run-in
settled towards rear, 12th approaching 2 out, headway on outer early straight and went 5th before last, kept on under pressure run-in to lead closing stages
tracked leaders mainly 5th, ridden approaching straight and 6th before last, kept on one pace under pressure
Quiscover Fontaine won this for Willie Mullins and AP McCoy last year in a tremendous battle with PIRES and Wilde Wit Pleasure. The winner hasn't run since falling in the Grand National and the runner-up gets the nod as he arrives in excellent shape having won twice over fences recently. Mullins is also represented by Supreme Carolina, who won a maiden at Kilbeggan in May before a poor run there the following month. She doesn't look good enough at this stage but El Fontan, who is better known as a chaser these days, has to be respected back over hurdles. Dont Tell Pa has been going well in handicaps but has a bit to find on official ratings as does Sizing Italy, though he's a progressive type who can do better.
Casimir Road (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened after 2 out, last of 8, 40l behind Whatever It Takes (10-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo hcp hdl in Aug.
Sizing Italy (IRE) 2-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders mainly 3rd, ridden and no impression approaching straight, headway under pressure and tried to challenge approaching last where mistake, not recover on short run-in, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Cnoc Na Sioga (11-5) at Wexford 2m nh nov hdl gd in Oct.
Chebona Bula 20-1 (11-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by The Lady Granuaile (10-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov '11, 15 ran.
Dont Tell Pa (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 2nd 4 out, led after 3 out, strongly pressed from next, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Lough Roe Lady (11-2) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Nov.
El Fontan (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, no extra 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sole Witness (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy, 15 ran.
Hide The Evidence (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, not jump fluently, strongly pressed and headed entering straight, soon dropped to 4th and no extra from 2 out, 5th of 6, 26l behind New Phase (11-12) at Cork 2m hdl in Nov '11.
Hit The Headlines (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Themilanhorse (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gd in Mar.
Moville (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, slow jump 6 out, no extra and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Sole Witness (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy, 15 ran.
Owennacurra Milan (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, 7th and some progress 4 out, no extra from next, trailing straight, 10th of 11, well behind Bishopsfurze (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl in Nov.
Persian Gayle (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Prominent, on terms from 6 out, 3rd and not as good as 1st 2 at 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 18l behind Come To The Party (10-1) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Nov.
Pires 3-1fav (11-7) Held up towards rear early, mid-division halfway, headway into 6th 4 out, 4th 3 out, closer in 3rd 2 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on to lead run-in and asserted close home, won at Down Royal 2m hcp chs gd in Nov beating Monastrell (11-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Mid-division, fell 17th, in a race won by Neptune Collonges (11-6) at Aintree 4m 4f Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (7yo+) (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Waited with in mid-division, closed from before 4 out, challenged travelling well straight, in front 2 out, pressed and headed before last, soon no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Matsukaze (10-9) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy.
Wilde Wit Pleasure (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Twrds rr, 8th at 8th, prog in 5th 6out, fair 4th & btn bef 3out, ko onepcd, 4th of 10, 25l behind The Blarney Rose (10-13) at Boulta 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov.
Supreme Carolina (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, no extra, 4th of 8, 22l behind White Feathers (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hdl gf in Jun.
What A Charm (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led, headed before halfway, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 41l behind Top Madam (10-10) at Wexford 2m 4f hdl gd in Oct.
