chased leaders, dropped to mid-division from 8th, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, soon no extra
led and disputed, not fluent 6th and headed, dropped towards rear from 4 out and ridden from next, soon no extra
led and disputed, led from 6th, travelling best approaching last when mistake and soon headed, ridden and kept on run-in without matching winner
chased leaders and close in 3rd from 3 out, pushed along in 2nd before next and led shortly after last, kept on well run-in
towards rear, pushed along in 5th from 3 out and soon went 4th, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear early, improved to chase leaders in 3rd from 6th and went 2nd after 8th, dropped to 3rd before 2 out and soon no extra, kept on same pace from before last
towards rear, not fluent 8th, slightly closer in 5th when fell 3 out
This is run as a Grade 1 for the first time and affords GETABIRD a chance to get a victory at the highest level over fences. His hurdles career hasn't exactly gone to plan with some expensive defeats to his credit but he made a very impressive start over the bigger obstacles at Punchestown and looks the one to beat. He was conceding Hardline 7lb when beating him narrowly in a bumper a couple of years ago and also beat him a long way over hurdles in April, though that's unlikely to have much of a bearing over fences and the latter has already proven himself with two victories, the latest in a Grade 3 at Navan. Jetz, beaten a head in a Grade 1 hurdle in February, ran a fine race at the top level when third in the Drinmore and should have few problems finishing in the money.
Beyond The Law (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, 5 lengths lead halfway, slow 8th and reduced advantage, slight mistake 6 out, slight mistake and headed 3 out, pushed along and no impression when fell next, at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in Nov.
Game Of War (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, on terms 3 out, gained narrow lead from next, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f gd in Nov beating Sir Carno (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Getabird (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Soon disputed, led narrowly 3 out, travelled well before 2 out, asserted run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Dec beating Articulum (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hardline (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Held up in disputing 3rd, headway into 2nd 4 out, travelled well in 2nd 3 out, led next, soon pushed along and went clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Us And Them (11-0) by 10l, 5 ran.
Jetz (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, jumped right at 1st and bumped, slight mistake 2nd and rider briefly lost iron, disputed lead from 4th, led 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd from before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no impression on leaders before 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Mengli Khan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m gd in Nov.
Majurca (FR) (10-7) 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Ebene Du Breuil (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Jun.
