mid-division, headway into 3rd 5 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon no impression
tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 7th after 3 out, no impression
always behind, under pressure 9th, never a factor
rear of mid-division, ridden and some progress after 3 out, 6th entering straight, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, never a factor
in rear early, pushed along briefly at 2nd, mid-division at halfway, headway after 3 out, went 2nd and pushed along entering straight, 3L 2nd and under pressure when fell 2 out
led early, joined from 6th, headed 5 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression on leaders from 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, 4th 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression
mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders on inner, dropped to 8th 5 out, soon weakened
towards rear, progress into 9th after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 6th, led 5 out and made rest, travelling well entering straight, left well clear 2 out and pushed along, stayed on strongly run-in, eased inside final furlong, easily
mid-division, 8th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, disputing 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening winner inside final furlong
Fine Theatre won under Kevin Brogan over course and distance last month when CROSSHUE BOY was only fifth. His rider’s claim is again a positive and the nine-year-old could go close to following up but the latter is better off at the weights and may well reverse the form on this quicker surface – he is well treated on his chase form. Speaker Connolly has been chasing but won over the smaller obstacles here last year and Ask Nile is another who mind the switch back to hurdles. Ozzie's Way never seems to run a bad race and Darver Star is another worth considering along with the novice Epswell.
Ask Nile (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up and disputed 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, 2nd and pressed leader before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Woods Well (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 13th (water), weakened 3 out, tailed off when fell last, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Eamon High (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 3rd after 3rd, slightly hampered and left 2nd at 6th, closed after 4 out, niggled along and dropped to 4th after 3 out, weakened 2 out where not fluent, left moderate 3rd at last, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Dinons (11-4) at Killarney 2m 6f gd in Aug.
Crosshue Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, 6th at 7th, not fluent 9th, no impression approaching straight, soon no extra, 5th of 14, 26l behind Fine Theatre (10-13) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Epswell (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 8th, dropped to 5th after 3 out, soon pushed along, no impression and one pace straight, just denied moderate 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 32 1/4l behind Daybreak Boy (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f Yielding in Jan.
Speaker Connolly (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, blundered 4 out, rider unable to recover and unseated soon after, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Static Jack (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, rear of mid-division after 3rd, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression 2 out, ridden and kept on into 4th before last, no impression run-in, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Scarpeta (11-10) at Thurles 2m 7f gd in Mar.
Kilbarry Way (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out and pushed along in 2nd entering straight, lost place before 2 out, soon no extra, 8th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Robin De Carlow (11-5) at Limerick 2m 6f (1) hvy in Mar.
Vision D'Ete (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and dropped towards rear after 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, 7th of 8, 37 1/2l behind Brosna George (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Jan.
Ozzie's Way (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-0) Soon disputed lead, led from 5th, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Irish Lass (11-0) at Thurles 2m 7f gf in Nov.
Mick The Boyo (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Mid-division, closer in 5th 3 out, soon ridden, 5th next, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ejayteekay (10-6) at Navan 2m hcp sft in Mar.
Darver Star (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along, no impression into straight, kept on same pace without threatening after, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind An Fraoch Mor (11-12) at Wexford 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Broder (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake at 3rd, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra in 5th when mistake at last, 6th of 16, 14l behind From Eden (10-1) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Fine Theatre (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Soon disputed lead, led from 7th, soon went on, reduced lead and headed into straight, regained lead run-in and stayed on well, won at Wexford 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Brave Out (11-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Pilgrim Way (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 4th after 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no impression in 6th entering straight, left 4th and slightly hampered last, no extra and kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 25 3/4l behind Garri Rua (10-2) at Galway 3m hcp gd in Jul.
Young Dev (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Towards rear, some headway 4 out and tracked leader on outer approaching straight, pushed along early straight and ridden in 2nd before last, kept on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Mar beating Goulane Jessie (10-11) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Our Brian (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 1st and 3rd, 4th before 5 out and soon dropped to 7th, closer in 5th after 3 out and ridden in 3rd after last, kept on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Coolfighter (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
