tracked leaders, improved to lead 5 out, went clear from 4 out, ridden and kept on well from 2 out
held up in rear, effort after 3 out, ridden straight, went moderate 3rd briefly 2 out, dropped to 5th from last
tracked leaders, no impression from 4 out, mistake next
always behind, bad mistake 6 out, no impression from 3 out
attempted to make all, bad mistake 5 out and headed, slow next and soon weakened
held up, progress from 4 out, 3rd next, went moderate 2nd after 3 out, ridden along entering straight, kept on one paced from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, reminders before 7 out, closer in moderate 4th 3 out, kept on one paced straight
Gentleman Jim returned to form at Thurles but his best form has been on ground with plenty of give and he's unlikely to get that here. FRANCIS DU MESNIL doesn't win often enough and last scored on this track back in 2009. However, he's reasonably consistent and likes fast going so it could be his turn here under Paul Carberry. Conem was beaten a short-head over the C&D early last month and though subsequently beaten at Punchestown that was a much higher grade event and he should go well despite a big weight. Some Touch was a fast ground performer in the UK and is steadily slipping to a fair mark.
Conem (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, in touch 4 out, driven along and no impression from next, 9th of 14, 11l behind Scotsirish (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Ext hcp ch gd.
Jigalo (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Well off pace towards rear, moderate 9th at 4th, soon no impression, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Dr Whizz (10-8) at Punchestown 2m Ext hcp chs gs, 13 ran.
Some Touch (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Towards rear, progress to track leaders approaching 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 8, 10l behind Any Bets (10-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Apr.
Michelle's Express (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Benalma (11-10) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs 0-109 gs, 14 ran.
Gentleman Jim (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent on outer, led from 4th, joined briefly 6th, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed after 2 out, soon 3rd, left 2nd at last, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, won at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Feb beating Wicklow Lad (11-1) by 3l, 13 ran.
Francis Du Mesnil (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders, closed up in 3rd 3 out, on terms travelling well into straight, led before 2 out, headed and no impression last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Noble Commander (10-10) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 gd.
Sense Of Awareness (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, moderate 8th approaching 6 out, soon no impression, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Benalma (11-10) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs 0-109 gs.
Antipode (GER) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway into 7th 5 out, 4th next, ridden in 5th approaching 3 out, left 4th, no extra and weakened after 2 out, 8th of 19, 42l behind Hidden Crack (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) in Feb.
Twelfth of Never (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden to challenge 3 out, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Ard Agus Fada (9-13) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 in Mar.
