tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chased leaders, ridden and one pace over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final 100 yards, no impression with front pair
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, rallied over 1f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, led narrowly inside final 100 yards, just held on
towards rear of mid-division, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led early, tracked leaders, led again over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed narrowly inside final 100 yards, kept on, just held
in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on into 4th towards finish, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, never on terms
mid-division on inside, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never reached leaders
behind, headway into mid-division over 2f out, never nearer
in rear, headway into mid-division over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out until outpaced by front pair inside final furlong, lost place closing stages
mid-division on outside, outpaced 3f out, never a threat
mid-division, outpaced 4f out, soon lost place and behind
towards rear on outside, headway over 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out
towards rear of mid-division, headway on outside 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon outpaced, no impression final furlong
towards rear, headway into mid-division over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace when carried left inside final furlong, never reached leaders
with leader, led after 3f, headed over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders early, held up mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 3f out to 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon driven to chase leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders
took keen hold, soon led, headed after 3f, with leader, lost place when hampered over 3f out, soon behind
in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression
It's fascinating to note that Willie Mullins thinks that his unbeaten mare Augusta Kate is ready to take on the boys and she may well be the one that punters latch on to among seven runners for the yard. But this is a race in which shocks are not uncommon with five of the last six winners starting at 14/1 or bigger. Coeur Blimey is the only one so far to have inflicted a defeat on Ballyandy but did it with the help of a 4lb weight concession and Lucy Gardner's allowance – she can't claim in a race as valuable as this. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge has to go on the short-list and Westend Story has impressed in both starts under Rules. NEW TO THIS TOWN was receiving 7lb when beating Avenir D'une Vie at Gowran in January but showed a really good attitude that day and looks the type to find more when required. He might just be good enough to take this step up in his stride and complete the hat-trick.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 8-11fav (11-11) Tracked leader, travelling smoothly straight, led under 2f out, asserted from 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Tamlough Boy (11-10) by 14l, 5 ran.
Bacardys (FR) 11-8fav (11-9) Led, joined from halfway, pressed over 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, carried left but regained lead inside final furlong and stayed on best, won at Leopardstown 2m hvy in Dec beating Grotesque (11-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ballyandy 11-8fav (11-7) Always prominent, led over 3f out, hard driven over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Newbury 2m lst (1) hvy in Feb beating Positively Dylan (11-3) by 9l, 7 ran.
Ballymalin (IRE) 85-40 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Informationisking (11-3) at Towcester 2m (6) sft in Feb.
Battleford 4-6fav (11-12) Made all, pressed 4f out, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m sft in Jan beating Presenting Percy (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Castello Sforza (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, progress in 7th entering straight, improved into 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Apr beating Sunni May (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 20 ran.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold early, prominent in chasing group, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Ascot 2m lst (1) sft in Dec beating Ballyandy (11-8) by 1l, 8 ran.
Compadre (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, closed 5f out, led over 2f out, clear when raced green and hung left over 1f out, comfortable, won at Bangor 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov beating Wild West Wind (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Criq Rock (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Behind, headway over 3f out, never on terms, 5th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Bolving (11-2) at Kempton 2m (5) gs in Feb.
First Figaro (GER) 9-4 (12-0) Chased clear leader, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd approaching straight, ridden in 2nd under 2f out and soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Lucky Pass (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m hvy in Dec.
Geordie Des Champs (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Prominent, 3rd and ridden 3f out, no chance with winner final 2f, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 14l behind Big Meadow (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (6) sft in Feb.
High Bridge 10-11fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon quickened and well clear, pushed out, impressive, won at Catterick 2m (6) sft in Dec beating Atomix (11-0) by 13l, 8 ran.
Jot'em Down (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Led, pushed along over 5f out, hard ridden when challenged over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Plumpton 2m 2f (6) sft in Feb beating Clondaw Bisto (11-11) by 3l, 5 ran.
New To This Town (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway and 2nd over 4f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, under pressure and progress to lead final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan beating Avenir D'une Vie (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Onthewesternfront (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Stowaway Magic (11-4) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Pride Of Lecale 3-1 (11-3) Always prominent on inside, led over 3f out, soon quickened clear, unchallenged after, stayed on well, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Feb beating Alf 'n' Dor (11-10) by 14l, 8 ran.
Rather Be (IRE) 11-8 (11-9) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, hard ridden entering final furlong, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Snow Leopardess (10-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb.
Spirit Of Kayf 9-4 (11-10) Led, headed after 3f, led again before 4f out, headed 3f out, no extra over 1f out, 2nd of 11, 19l behind Sam's Adventure (10-7) at Wetherby 2m (6) hvy in Feb.
Turcagua (FR) 5-6fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Navan 2m Yielding in Dec beating Bonny Kate (11-4) by 6l, 11 ran.
Very Much So (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outer, good headway on outer to lead entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, joined briefly 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m gd in Apr beating Snow Falcon (11-4) by 3/4l, 19 ran.
Westend Story (IRE) 8-15fav (11-11) Made all, clear over 1fr out, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f (6) hvy in Feb beating Man From Mars (10-8) by 18l, 5 ran.
Winsome Bucks (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Led, headed after 2f, left in lead approaching halfway, pressed 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Cappuccino Man (11-10) by 7l, 12 ran.
Augusta Kate 4-6fav (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, led over 1f out, pushed out to go clear inside final furlong, impressive, won at Navan 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Cashelard Lady (11-6) by 7l, 15 ran.
King Uther 6-1 (11-3) Made all, driven well over 3f out, clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (6) gs in Feb beating Crank Em Up (11-3) by 23l, 6 ran.
