chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 6 out, led next, headed entering straight, soon no extra, kept on one pace in moderate 2nd from before 2 out
held up, 4th and slight mistake 6 out, moderate 3rd 4 out, ridden and no impression after next, kept on one pace from before 2 out
chased leader in 2nd, disputed at times on inner, led 6 out, headed 5 out, regained lead entering straight, clear before 2 out, pushed out after 2 out, kept on strongly, easily
chased leaders early, dropped towards rear 3rd, soon reminder, ridden and weakened 6 out, completely tailed off
led and disputed, kept wide, headed 6 out, ridden and weakened next, completely tailed off
held up, trailing from 7th, soon behind, completely tailed off
SCARPETA was an odds-on chance when winning this two years ago where he was returning after a break. He hasn't been seen since conceding the prolific Peregrine Run 10lb and beating him 3 lengths at Thurles in March last year but is very much suited by the race conditions. He receives 10lb from stable companion Burrows Saint, the mount of Paul Townend, who was in superb form in the spring of last year, completing a handicap of chase victories when landing the Irish Grand National. He reverted to hurdles in December beating his smart stablemate Saglawy comfortably and is an obvious threat. Dallas Des Pictons is also much better known as a chaser but finished runner-up in last year's Martin Pipe at Cheltenham so is no slouch over timber. Mary Frances ran a cracking race in this last year when only headed on the run-in by The Storyteller and is ideally suited by heavy ground.
Burrows Saint (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Made all, clear from early, slight mistake 5th, well clear at halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and clear before last, mistake at last, kept on under hands and heels run-in, reduced advantage close home, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Dec beating Saglawy (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Great Trango (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always behind, hampered at 1st, never a factor, 7th of 9, dist behind Capuccimix (11-12) at Naas 2m sft in Mar.
Mary Frances (IRE) 6-5fav (10-9) Prominent and disputed lead, led 3 out, strongly pressed next, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Jetz (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Dallas Des Pictons (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, 4th halfway, slight mistake 8th, weakened in rear before 3 out, completely tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Visioman (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f sft in Oct.
Scarpeta (FR) Evensfav (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway early straight and pushed along to lead after 2 out, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 7f gd in Mar beating Peregrine Run (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Carrigeen Lactuca (IRE) 150-1 (11-7) Waited with, soon towards rear, 17th after 4th, no impression and kept on same pace from 6th, 10th of 20, dist behind Vanillier (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
