tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th 3 out and no extra approaching straight
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last and weakened
tracked leader, 2nd before halfway and led approaching 4 out, asserted early straight and stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders in 5th, ridden along in rear 4 out, no extra and weakened
settled in rear, headway before 3 out and went 3rd approaching 2 out, 2nd and soon ridden entering straight, no impression on winner and kept on same pace
led, headed before 4 out and soon ridden, no extra in 4th 2 out
This has produced an incredible turnout for the money and includes the return to action of the brilliant Solwhit, whose last 12 runs were in Grade 1 company, a level at which he has won six times. Narrowly beaten by Hurricane Fly three times in succession when last seen at the turn of the 2010/2011 season, he has the race conditions in his favour though is up against high-class and race-fit rivals. Dual Royal Ascot winner Simenon blotted his copybook on heavy ground here last month and is on a retrieval mission while Staying Article made too many mistakes when beaten at long odds-on by Midnight Game at Fairyhouse. Top-class novice chaser BOG WARRIOR reverted to hurdles in a handicap at Fairyhouse and could hardly have been more impressive, carrying a huge weight to an easy victory. With fitness and form on his side he's taken to see off these rivals who also include the Grade 2 winners Donnas Palm and Fully Funded.
Simenon (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden in 4th after 2 out, no impression entering straight, mistake last and weakened, 4th of 6, 33l behind Un Beau Matin (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov.
Staying Article (IRE) 4-9fav (11-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead approaching 2 out, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last where mistake, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Midnight Game (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft.
Bog Warrior (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, asserted before 2 out, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft beating Wise Oscar (10-5) by 8l, 18 ran.
Fully Funded (USA) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, niggled along after 6th, dropped towards rear 5 out, 6th before straight, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 35l behind Mourad (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Solwhit (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden to challenge entering straight, 2nd before last where slight mistake, kept on under pressure, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Jan '11.
Belle Brook (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Led, ridden approaching straight, soon headed and no impression in 4th when left 2nd after last, kept on under pressure run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Like Your Style (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in May.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, moderate 14th 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on one paced straight, 8th of 20, 41l behind Tofino Bay (11-4) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 hvy in Nov.
