mid-division, mistake 6th, ridden in 5th and not fluent 3 out, 4th when left 3rd and hampered 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, close 2nd travelling well entering straight, left in front 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed approaching last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, niggled along in 3rd 5 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, closer 3rd and left 2nd 2 out, strongly pressed leader and not fluent at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
always towards rear, slight mistake 1st, moderate 7th 3 out, no impression
rear of mid-division, progress 5 out, went 4th and ridden 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, mistake at last
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
led, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and pressed approaching 2 out, fell heavily 2 out
in rear, moderate 6th and pushed along 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 5th, ridden from 4 out, soon weakened
Dual hurdles winner BLAZER had a couple of runs over fences on heavy going at the turn of the year and though not really impressing is the type to do very much better and it will be a surprise if he's not in the shake-up so gets the vote. Our Dougal has more experience over the bigger obstacles and has been narrowly beaten on several occasions. He would have been closer at Killarney last time but for a bad mistake at the last and looks set for a place on the podium. Little Stevie is a moderate hurdler though should make a better chaser judged on a fair debut at Limerick but Ancient Sands, who has won eleven times on the Flat and over hurdles, has run poorly over fences. Bilko was engaged at Ballinrobe last night.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Not fluent 4th, 5th from 6th, slightly hampered 4 out, disputed moderate 3rd before straight, no impression and mistake 3 out,, 4th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Static Jack (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Bilko (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 10th 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 14th of 25, 16 1/4l behind Magic Of Light (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Blazer (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd before next, no extra, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Uncle Danny (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Coolbane West (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, progress into 6th after 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 14, dist behind Mon Lino (10-9) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp sft in May.
Fleurys Fort (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon held up, 7th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression before straight, 7th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Windsor Higgins (11-3) at Limerick 2m 3f gd in May.
Mount Oliver (IRE) 80-1 (11-12) Soon behind, slight mistake 5th and reminder, pulled up before 9th, at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Our Dougal (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, 3rd from 6th, slight mistake 8th, 5th 2 out and slight mistake, soon no impression, bad mistake at last, one pace, 4th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Ask Nile (11-10) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in May.
Little Stevie 10-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, left 4th and hampered last, 4th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Windsor Higgins (11-3) at Limerick 2m 3f gd in May.
Longhouse Music 50-1 (10-11) Took keen hold early, towards rear, slightly slow 3rd, slight mistake 4th, no impression after 7th in moderate 6th, soon no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind Townshend (11-10) at Punchestown 2m gd in May.
