held up in last pair, driven 3 out, ridden after next, never a threat, weakened after last
raced keenly, in touch, tracked leader before 4th, ridden and every chance when switched inside before last, kept on same pace, no match for winner flat
tracked leaders, shaken up to chase front pair on outside after 2 out, stayed on to lead last, edged left and asserted clear flat, ridden out
held up towards rear on outside, struggling in rear 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 2 out, outpaced and no impression between last 2
in touch on outside, outpaced after 2 out, soon ridden, no impression between last 2
raced keenly, led to after 3rd, tracked leaders to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, behind and outpaced when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on past beaten rivals after last, never nearer
mid-division on inside, pushed along and lost place after 4 out, weakened and eased after next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division 4th, pushed along after 4 out, never going pace to get on terms with leaders after, weakened before last
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, went 4th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders
tracked leader, led after 3rd, not fluent 3 out, driven turning in, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace, no impression in 3rd flat
Winner of the Champion Bumper here last year, ENVOI ALLEN has already shown himself to be a high-class recruit to hurdling having won the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse and a Grade 1 at Naas in January. He may have preferred a slightly better surface over this trip but there will be some long faces among the Irish contingent if he’s beaten. He is not the certainty that some would have you believe, however, as Sporting John has done everything asked of him under Rules so far and will be staying on up the hill. The Big Breakaway also defends an unbeaten record after easy victories at Chepstow and Newbury while Mossy Fen beat Decor Irlandais and Shan Blue in a Warwick Grade 2. The selection's stablemate Easywork won over 2m4f at Limerick before finishing second in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown while The Big Getaway could be anything despite having only won a Naas maiden so far.
Decor Irlandais (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, went left last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Mossy Fen (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Easywork (FR) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd early, disputed lead at 3rd, travelling well 2 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 9 1/2l behind Asterion Forlonge (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Envoi Allen (FR) 1-4fav (11-10) Disputed lead early, headed 2nd, regained lead after 2 out, pushed along and soon went clear, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Jan beating Elixir D'Ainay (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Getaway Fred (IRE) 8-13fav (11-8) Led, ridden after last, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Fado Des Brosses (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Longhouse Poet (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, took keen hold early, mistake 6th, 2nd 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, improved to dispute lead approaching last, headed after last, no impression on winner close home, 3rd near line, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Latest Exhibition (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Mossy Fen (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) With leader until 3rd, stayed 2nd until 6th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied and hanging left from 2 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan beating Decor Irlandais (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-12) Led, ridden headed and readily outpaced run-in, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Shishkin (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Shan Blue (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, pushed along before 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Shishkin (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Feb.
Son Of Camas (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, plugged on disputing 2nd before 2 out until 2 out, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Fiddlerontheroof (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Sporting John (IRE) 6-4 (11-8) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 2 out, over 3 lengths ahead last, stayed on strongly to go further clear run-in, impressive, won at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb beating Pipesmoker (11-0) by 6 1/2l, 4 ran.
The Big Breakaway (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Raced keenly tracking leaders, closer at 5th, 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, clear before last, eased run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Papa Tango Charly (10-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
The Big Getaway (IRE) 2-5fav (11-12) Made all, clear from 4 out, travelling well 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Foxy Jacks (11-12) by 17l, 16 ran.
