tracked leaders in moderate 4th, ridden in 4th on outer 2 out, no impression in 4th when left 3rd and slightly hampered at last, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leader in 2nd, jumped right at times, 2nd and mistake 3 out, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, pushed along and every chance disputing lead when fell at last
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to dispute lead on outer 2 out, soon ridden, disputing lead and under pressure when left clear at last, kept on run-in
led and soon clear, not fluent at 4th, reduced advantage entering straight, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression in 3rd when left 2nd and hampered at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden after 3 out, moderate 5th 2 out, soon no impression
held up in last, mistake 3rd, ridden after 3 out, under pressure in last when bad mistake 2 out, 5th when left moderate 4th at last, badly hampered after last, no extra in 4th inside final furlong
Ruby Walsh has chosen SALDIER over Mr Adjudicator though there looks little between the pair on their 1-2 in the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown. The winner was always travelling well and appeared to have a bit in hand but the runner-up didn't quite get the run of the race and can finish closer. Espoir D'Allen started odds-on for the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown after beating the smart Farclas there on St Steven's Day. However, he ran no sort of race behind Mr Adjudicator so has a question to answer here. The remaining trio look to be playing for places despite receiving plenty of weight with the race-fit Mastermind perhaps the best of them at this stage.
Mr Adjudicator 10-3 (11-0) Soon raced in 5th, closer order 6th, headway on inner straight, switched left approaching last, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Saldier (11-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Saldier (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, closer order 6th, headway travelling smoothly straight to lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Mr Adjudicator (11-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Espoir D'Allen (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) Took keen hold, raced in 2nd, led 5th, pushed along before straight, soon headed, 3rd approaching last and no extra and not fluent, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 5, 22 3/4l behind Mr Adjudicator (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Mastermind (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Prominent, challenged and on terms over 2f out, headed into straight, remained close up with every chance, kept on well without quite matching principals close home, 4th of 18, 1/2l behind Phebes Dream (8-10) at Galway 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
Conron (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 2nd, 5th and pushed along at 4th, ridden in 4th 2 out, 3rd entering straight, headway to dispute lead at last, led early run-in, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Bay Hill (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Grey Waters (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Raced in 4th, no impression from before 2 out, kept on without threatening into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 17 1/4l behind Mr Adjudicator (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
