led and soon went on, slight mistake 4th, joined after 8th, headed approaching straight, no extra after 2 out
waited with, soon raced in moderate 5th, took closer order after 6th, switched right before 2 out, soon switched left, kept on without reaching front pair
soon raced in 4th, closed from before straight, challenged and on terms between last 2, not fluent last, gained narrow lead and stayed on best run-in
waited with, soon raced in moderate 6th, took closer order after 6th, under pressure from 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
waited with, soon raced in moderate 8th, some slight mistakes, took closer order after 6th, pushed along briefly 8th, chased leaders and kept on same pace without threatening from after 2 out
soon raced in 2nd, closed up before 8th where slight mistake, soon on terms, headed and lost place approaching straight, soon no extra
waited with, soon raced in moderate 7th, took closer order after 6th, chased leaders and kept on same pace without threatening from after 2 out
soon raced in 3rd, closed up before 8th where slight mistake, soon on terms, led approaching straight, joined from between last 2, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
waited with in rear, took closer order after 6th, headway from 8th, chased leaders and kept on same pace without threatening from after 2 out
waited with, soon towards rear, took closer order after 6th, slight mistake 8th, chased leaders and kept on same pace without threatening from after 2 out
A race that features a fascinating clash between representatives from the Gordon Elliott and Joseph O’Brien yards. Getaway John was tried in cheekpieces here last time but still looked a little reluctant in the closing stages and the aids are dispensed with today. He has to give 4lb to the in-form SMOKING GUN (NAP) and that may prove beyond him. Rachel Blackmore’s mount stepped up to 2m4f at Gowran to record a third victory in four starts and wasn’t stopping. On that evidence, the extra yardage won’t be a problem. Salty Boy is another arriving in peak form while Plan Of Attack again appeared to find 3m just too far at Punchestown last time having won over course and distance before that. The Gatechecker was a lucky winner here last month and behind Salty Boy earlier at Leopardstown.
Salty Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent at 3rd, slight mistake 4 out mr and headed entering straight, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Dallas Des Pictons (10-12) at Leopardstown 3m hcp gd in Feb.
Getaway John (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure in close 2nd when slight mistake last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Moratorium (11-1) at Thurles 2m 4f gd in Feb.
Smoking Gun (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, headway and ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Feb beating West Coast Time (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Dorans River (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Soon towards rear, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Cap York (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Another Barney (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Rear of mid-division, slight mistakes 2nd, 3rd and 4th where reminder, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Poker Party (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Dawn Raider (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, 13th 3 out, soon no impression, eased before 2 out, 16th of 19, dist behind Smoking Gun (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Feb.
The Gatechecker (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, slight mistake 2nd, 8th after 8th, impeded briefly next, slight mistake 3 out, improved into 2nd after 2 out, not match leader when left in front last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 3m hcp gd in Feb beating Citizen Al (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Plan Of Attack (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Led and disputed, headed after 3rd, slow 4th, disputed again after 6th, headed after 6 out, dropped to 5th 5 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 8th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Cap York (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Kalum River (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, some headway in 5th 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 4th after next, no extra, kept on one pace, 4th of 17, 16l behind The Big Dog (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn sft in Jan.
Lucky Icon (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Always behind, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
