towards rear on inside, badly hampered and dropped to last pair 5th, not recover, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, headway 4 out, tacked leaders when not fluent next, outpaced when not much room before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, 4th and one pace when ridden before last, no impression after, lost place flat
behind, outpaced after 4 out, headway under pressure before last, ridden and edged right flat, stayed on to take 4th near finish, never nearer
mid-division on inside when fell heavily 5th
tracked winner to 3 out, soon outpaced and behind
mid-division, blundered 6th, outpaced before 3 out, never near leaders
in touch, headway on outer 3 out, driven to chase leaders after next, ridden and stayed on to take 4th flat until near finish, no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
in touch, tracked winner 3 out, challenged next, not much room on bend soon after, ridden and outpaced by front pair before last, no impression after
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, ridden and virtually upsides when not fluent last, switched and every chance flat, kept on, just held
in rear, badly hampered 5th, struggling 3 out, never a threat, tailed off
in touch, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, well held from next
made all, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden and edged right under pressure flat, stayed on gamely, just held on
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced and behind, tailed off
Willie Mullins had an incredible 20 entries at the four-day stage and is letting a quartet take their chance. Irish Euros are likely to shorten up Bacardys, who kept on well to edge out smart stablemate Bunk Off Early in the Deloitte at Leopardstown last month. That was over 2m2f but he won over 3m between the flags so should have few problems with the extra distance here. Bon Papa would probably be unbeaten but for falling at Cork in January and he also looks a decent prospect. Messire Des Obeaux beat Ballyandy at Sandown in December and later won the Challow Hurdle. He was giving Keeper Hill 8lb when just beaten at Huntingdon in his prep race and will be hard to keep out of the frame but Willoughby Court seems at his best on a rain-soaked surface and won’t have those conditions here. NEON WOLF tackles this trip for the first time under Rules but is another former points winner. He was hugely impressive in the Rossington Main at Haydock in January and can give Harry Fry a second Grade 1 victory at The Festival.
Bacardys (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, 9th at 2nd, headway and pushed along from 2 out, 3rd approaching last where 2nd and jumped left, challenged run-in, led from 100yds out, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f (1) sft in Feb beating Bunk Off Early (11-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Bon Papa (FR) 1-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well and progress to lead 2 out, asserted approaching last and stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn sft in Jan beating Giant Spirit (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Brelade 8-1 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, 6th at 2nd, pushed along from 2 out, went 2nd approaching last where 3rd, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Bacardys (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f (1) sft in Feb.
Burbank (IRE) 3-10fav (11-9) Chased leaders, shaken up to challenge approaching 3 out, kept on well closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Tree Of Liberty (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 3f (4) gd in Feb.
Consul De Thaix (FR) 6-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division on outside, pushed along and headway on outside before 2 out, 3rd after 2 out, plugged on into 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 19, 5l behind Brain Power (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
De Dollar Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, awkward 5th, led narrowly 2 out, joined last, kept narrow lead and stayed on under pressure until headed last strides, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, nk behind Beyond Conceit (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, tracked leader after 2nd, led briefly approaching 6th, went left and hit next, led and went left 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied to lead again towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Feb beating Messire Des Obeaux (11-12) by nk, 6 ran.
Kemboy (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, slightly impeded 6th, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, slightly impeded before straight, soon chased leaders, moderate 2nd at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Let's Dance (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) gd in Jan.
Livelovelaugh (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Prominent, soon 2nd, not fluent 7th, on terms approaching 3 out, soon led, went on approaching straight, left further clear 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 4f sft in Feb beating Aussie Reigns (11-10) by 20l, 10 ran.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Held up in last pair, steady headway 7th, 3rd 3 out, challenging when not much room switched left and carried left 2 out, led approaching the last, joined run-in, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Keeper Hill (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Feb.
Neon Wolf (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) With leader, led after 4 out, clear from last, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Elgin (11-11) by 9l, 7 ran.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inside, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden after normal 2 out, not pace of front pair from omitted last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Wholestone (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Skipthecuddles (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, edged right between last 2, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb beating Rock My Style (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Willoughby Court (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, not fluent 4th, clear after 3 out, hung right after 2 out and flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan beating Gayebury (11-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
Shattered Love (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Slight mistake 1st, 4th at next, chased leader 5th, challenged from before 2 out, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Forge Meadow (10-12) by 13l, 9 ran.
