tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2 out and led before last, asserted early run-in and kept on well
led, joined 3rd and headed before 5th, no extra and dropped to rear approaching 2 out, weakened, tailed off
towards rear, 8th halfway, left 4th approaching 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace
prominent, disputed 3rd and led before 5th, headed after 2 out and slight mistake last, no impression on winner run-in, dropped to 3rd close home
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, mistake 3 out, no impression in 3rd after 2 out, stumbled on landing last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, in touch and brought down after 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, close 5th and slipped up after 3 out
in rear, 9th halfway, rear in touch and brought down after 3 out
chased leaders, 7th halfway, left 5th approaching 2 out, went 3rd after last, kept on run-in to go 2nd close home
Gordon Elliott had three entered at the early stage and relies on AKORAKOR, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, who looked promising on his debut over hurdles at Gowran but has been fading over further. This looks more like his trip for now and he's taken to get off the mark over timber. Definite Trouble didn't show much in a couple of four-year-old bumpers but has joined Noel Meade and his pedigree suggests he can do much better. Perseid won a Sedgefield bumper in November and though he weakened quickly on his hurdling debut at Newcastle that was over 2m4f and he ran well for a long way. Next Bend is bred for the Flat and may have to wait for quicker ground before showing ability over hurdles while Leapsandbounds looks as though he needs further.
Akorakor (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 2 out, ridden and no early straight, weakened, 10th of 14, 24l behind Bentelimar (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Perseid (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased winner until approaching 4 out, pushed along chased leading pair until before next, weakened soon after, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Lovely Job (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Areema (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) 8th of 12, 50l behind Fine Theatre (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl in Jan.
Burton Hall (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 5th at 7th where not fluent, on terms 9th, dropped to moderate 7th approaching straight, no extra and soon eased,, 7th of 12, well behind Ryansbrook (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Definite Trouble (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 7th halfway, 5th 6f out, ridden and no extra 4f out, 6th of 11, well behind Blow The Doors Off (11-4) at Sligo 2m 2f 4yo NH flat sft in May '13.
Leapsandbounds (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Towards rear, 10th early, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out,, 6th of 12, 32l behind Oscar Knight (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl in Feb.
Wee Gaza (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, slight mistake and reminder 5th, pushed along from 4 out, moderate 9th 2 out, soon no impression,, 9th of 11, well behind Alpha Des Obeaux (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Sovereign Princess (IRE) 80-1 (11-3) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, never a factor, 21st of 29, well behind Killeena House (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl in Dec.
Mystic Princess (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th at 3rd, pushed along from 6th, soon no danger, 9th of 11, well behind Whiteout (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Next Bend (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, moderate 11th early, some headway from before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 9th of 18, 36l behind Phil's Magic (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb.
