chased clear leader, closer in 3rd halfway, ridden into moderate 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner from before last where not fluent, kept on one pace
always towards rear, trailing from 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
unseated rider 3rd
always behind, no extra from 3 out
led and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, extended lead again before 3 out, stayed on well under pressure from before last, driven further clear run-in
chased leaders on inner, 7th halfway, moderate 4th and driven along after 2 out, 3rd before last, kept on one pace
chased clear leader in 3rd, 6th halfway, no extra and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out, no extra after next
chased leaders on outer, 4th halfway, 6th 3 out, soon no extra
chased clear leader in 2nd, closer halfway, ridden and no extra in moderate 3rd entering straight, weakened run-in
ACCORDION TO PADDY beat a huge field at Navan last month and follwed up in very good style at Down Royal a week ago. He's gone up 9lb for that latest success but can defy the extra. Mr Eko has been gradually improving and defied a last-flight error to beat Buck Breeze at Thurles. A 6lb rise shouldn't hinder his progress and he looks a big threat. Alwaystheoptimist hasn't had much experience but looked on the way up when dropped back to this trip at Down Royal in December. He won't mind the ground and should go well but Storm Breaker has now gone 20 races without managing a victory over hurdles.
Accordion To Paddy (IRE) 5-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway in 8th 3 out, 3rd 2 out, soon challenged, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m nov hcp hdl 80-109 beating Its All Hush Hush (11-6) by 3l, 12 ran.
Destined For Fame (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Prominent, 3rd bypassing 4 out, lost place and no extra from before straight, 12th of 22, well behind Cnoc Rua (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Aug.
Mr Eko (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, headway into 4th approaching straight, led on inner after 2 out, mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, held on closing stages, won at Thurles 2m cond hcp hdl 80-95 in Jan beating Buck Breeze (11-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tin Town Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway in 10th 3 out, ridden in 8th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 17, 48l behind Good Time Donie (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Alwaystheoptimist 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader in 2nd, led approaching halfway, disputed 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace, 6th of 18, 6l behind Sole Witness (11-7) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Storm Breaker (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 4th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 18, 9l behind Tawrific Laois (10-4) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Nov.
Bacmacs (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, no impression from after 3 out, bad mistake last, 10th of 15, 29l behind The Hamptons (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl in Sep.
Saddler's Native (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, kept on same pace under pressure from before straight, 5th of 18, 9l behind Tequila Lord (11-2) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-95.
Saipan (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Never better than mid-division, 14th of 28, 42l behind Accordion To Paddy (10-13) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Jan.
Marshim (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Led, headed straight, soon no extra, 7th of 18, 11l behind Tequila Lord (11-2) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-95.
