chased leaders, a little keen, jumped left at 1st, 2nd at 5th, on terms from 9th, pushed along and strongly pressed entering straight, headed 3 out, soon lost place and no extra, weakened and pulled up before last
disputed until headed after 1st, not always fluent, slow 6th, 2nd halfway and on terms from 9th, strongly pressed when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no impression in 3rd at last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd and not always fluent after, 7th halfway, fell 10th
disputed until led after 1st, inclined to jump left, not fluent 6th, slow jump and headed 9th, soon 3rd, on terms again approaching 3 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th before last
mid-division, slight mistake 1st, 6th halfway, pushed along entering straight, not fluent 3 out, ridden in 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression but stayed on to go 2nd at last, kept on same pace, no threat to winner from last
held up in rear, 9th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra from next, never a factor
mid-division, a little keen, 5th halfway, close 4th when switched right approaching 3 out, switched left after 3 out and pushed along to challenge, on terms 2 out and soon ridden to lead, 4 length lead last, kept on well, eased close home
held up towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, moderate 7th when mistake 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd and not fluent 4th, 4th halfway, not fluent 9th, pushed along when slight mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
Paul Townend rides Grade 1 hurdles winner ASTERION FORLONGE and the grey ran a fine race in the Marsh Chase at Cheltenham, especially as he reportedly lost a shoe. This doesn't look the strongest Grade 1 ever run here and he can return to winning ways. Andy Dufresne is a classy performer at best and though put in his place by Monkfish in the Grade 1 Flogas at Leopardstown he had the selection just behind so there should be little between them here. The mare Scarlet And Dove continues on the upgrade as she showed with an impressive Grade 2 victory at Limerick and her allowance will aid her cause. Franco De Port was nowhere near his best at Cheltenham having chased home his classy stable companion Energumene in a Leopardstown Grade 1 earlier.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, disputed 2nd from 6 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Monkfish (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up rear of mid-division on outside, closed when not much room 11th, went 3rd from 2 out, soon ridden and hung left, not fluent last, held flat, kept on, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Chantry House (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Cedarwood Road (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed before 3 out, led 3 out, pressed and slight mistake last, soon ridden and edged right, asserted closing stages, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Antey (12-0) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Conflated (IRE) 4-9fav (11-4) Led and disputed, led after 3 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in to go clear, won at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Waitnsee (10-11) by 21l, 4 ran.
Franco De Port (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Off the pace and always last, never on terms, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Shishkin (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
I'm A Game Changer (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 6th at 7th, 5th after 4 out, travelled well after 2 out, headway to lead narrowly before last, asserted run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 2f (1) Yielding in Mar beating Whatsnotoknow (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Janidil (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, slight mistake 7th, 5th halfway, fell 4 out, at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
January Jets (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Made all, slight mistake 6th, ridden to assert before last where left clear, eased run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec beating Soviet Pimpernel (12-0) by 15l, 9 ran.
Scarlet And Dove (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Made all, not fluent 8th and bad mistake next, pushed along from 2 out and soon went clear, eased close home, won at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Mar beating Minx Tiara (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
