in touch, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, weakened soon after
held up mid-division on outside when fell 4th
in touch, outpaced in 10th 2 out, driven when not much room between last 2, soon chased leaders on inside, challenged when hit last, soon led, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leader, lost place 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, challenged and every chance approaching last, kept on flat, no extra towards finish
raced keenly, behind, mistake 3rd, outpaced 3 out,no impression when not much room before last
mid-division, hit 5th, headway 3 out, chased leaders under pressure next, stayed on to lead before when hit last, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
mid-division on inside, chased leaders 2 out, 4th last, ridden and stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, never reached winner
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, never reached leaders
tracked leaders on inside, headway 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, headed and ridden when switched left approaching last, no extra flat
mid-division in touch, lost place 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, dropped towards rear 2nd, reminders after next, soon struggling, 18th 2 out, headway under pressure between last 2, 7th and staying on when fell, last
led, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression last
raced keenly, towards rear, mistake 4th, headway on inside 2 out, outpaced when not much room between last 2, weakened last
mid-divison in touch on outside, effort when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
mid-division, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division before 2 out, ridden and kept on from last, no impression with leaders
The Irish have had a lean time of it in this race over the last few years but there is plenty of confidence this season behind Shadow Catcher, who beat Darroun on his debut at Punchestown and may have hit the front too soon when collared by Hisaabaat in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown subsequently. Countrywide Flame, Asaid, Ut De Sivola and His Excellency were all behind that day and look held. Baby Mix bounced back to form when beating Sadler's Risk by two lengths in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton and fourth Une Artiste won the Fred Winter here on Tuesday. But he'd earlier finished a long way behind when Grumeti got a race here in the stewards' room having being touched off by Pearl Swan. The latter was conceding 3lb that day so connections are entitled to think he'll have his revenge and third Hollow Tree will struggle to turn the form around on worse terms. Choc Thornton has chosen Grumeti ahead of BALDER SUCCESS but it must have been a tough decision as the French import looked a very smart prospect in beating older horses on the bridle at Ascot last time and it's he that gets the vote. Urbain De Sivola has improved with experience but may be better when the mud is flying.
Arctic Reach 14-1 (10-3) Prominent, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, 5th of 14, 22l behind Abergavenny (11-4) at Southwell 2m n h flat (6) std in Feb.
Asaid 8-13fav (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 4th, led 2 out, kept on well towards finish (hand timed), won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Shangani (11-2) by 2l, 13 ran.
Baby Mix (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, led 3 out, over 2 lengths ahead 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gd in Feb beating Sadler's Risk (11-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
Balder Succes (FR) 7-4 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracking leader, went 2nd 3 out, led on long run to 2 out, soon came readily clear, kept on strongly from last, eased close home, impressive, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Captain Sunshine (11-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Countrywide Flame 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden early straight and 3rd at last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Darroun (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Soon led, ran wide and challenged entering straight, soon disputed, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Jan beating Hisaabaat (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 25 ran.
Dodging Bullets 9-2 (10-7) Hit 1st, pulled hard, tracked leading pair until settled 4th after 4th, went 3rd well before 2 out, travelling well disputing 2nd when wandered right and left 2nd 2 out, wandered right again before last, driven and kept on flat, readily held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Grumeti (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Feb.
Dysios (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, moderate 9th halfway, headway in 5th entering straight, ridden and closer in 4th 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, led run-in and kept on well, won at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl beating Time To Work (11-7) by 3l, 19 ran.
Grumeti 4-9fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led soon after 3 out, in command next, pushed along from last, easily, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Feb beating Dodging Bullets (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, went 3rd entering straight and challenged at last, led early run-in and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Feb beating Shadow Catcher (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
His Excellency (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 12, 33l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Hollow Tree 9-2 (11-7) Led, driven 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly last, kept on until no extra final 110 yards, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Grumeti (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Mattoral 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, outpaced in 3rd between last 2, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Kapga De Cerisy (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Pearl Swan (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up behind in touch, driven after 2 out, chased leading pair before last, soon challenged, ridden and every chance when edged right flat, stayed on to lead narrowly near finish (originally placed 1st), in a race won by Grumeti (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd on long run to 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Baby Mix (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Shadow Catcher 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders racing keenly, 5th halfway, good headway to dispute 2 out and led entering straight, strongly pressed last and soon headed, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Urbain De Sivola (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Led, mistake 3rd, ridden after 2 out, joined last, driven and stayed on, joined post, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb deadheating with Ifyouletmefinish (11-2), 14 ran.
Ut De Sivola (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent early, pushed along in 8th 2 out, no extra in straight, 7th of 12, 26l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Feb.
West Brit (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, led when hit 3 out, ridden and edged left approaching last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Kie (11-8) by 4l, 10 ran.
Wingtips (FR) 7-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd entering straight, mistake 2 out and dropped to 3rd, no extra run-in, 4th of 24, 7l behind Bat Masterson (10-13) at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb.
