led and disputed, slight mistake and headed 12th, 3rd at 14th, ridden in 5th 4 out, no extra entering straight, weakened and tailed off
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd entering straight, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no impression in 2nd when mistake last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, disputed from 4th, led 12th, headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression before 2 out, 3rd last and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, slight mistake 6th, 7th halfway, slight mistake and ridden 6 out, slight mistake 4 out, soon no extra and eased entering straight, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd at 14th, challenged 6 out, led 5 out, ridden before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well
always towards rear, slight mistake 1st, ridden 14th, soon trailing, weakened and tailed off
Thelobstercatcher loves it around here and is the only course and distance winner in the line-up. However, he was a dozen lengths behind Miss Xian at Naas last time and though a massive 19lb better off may have to give best to the mare again. She's since won a much better race on the same track but the handicapper may just have her measure. Are Ya Right Chief has been competing at a higher level and will appreciate the drop in grade though his overall form leaves something to be desired and he's still a maiden over fences, as is Archie Meade, who is better over hurdles. DOWN UNDER scored over 2m5f at Leopardstown in December but has won over this trip at Gowran and with conditions to suit he's taken to get back on the winning trail.
Miss Xian (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Chased leader, slow 1st, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead and dispute entering straight, narrowly headed before last, kept on well run-in and strongly pressed leader, led on line, won at Naas 3m hcap ch sft in Mar beating Bothair Clei (9-12) by ns, 8 ran.
Are Ya Right Chief (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, weakened from next, 9th of 16, 17l behind Rivage D'Or (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Mister First (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in last, bad mistake 9th, last 5 out, some progress 3 out, soon ridden, went moderate 4th at last, no extra, 4th of 9, 12l behind Boher Call (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs hvy in Mar.
More Madness (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 6th when bad mistake 5 out, no impression from 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after last, in a race won by Riverside City (10-4) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs in Mar, 10 ran.
Thelobstercatcher 12-1 (11-4) Held up, 13th from 8th, good headway on outer 11th and soon on terms, 4th before straight, 2nd 2 out, no impression approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 12l behind Miss Xian (10-1) at Naas 3m hcp chs in Feb.
Down Under (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inner, dropped to 7th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression after 2 out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Bishops Road (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan.
Mr Goodenough (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Prominent, 5th from 8th, on terms 12th, 5th again before straight, no impression approaching last, one pace, 6th of 16, 34l behind Miss Xian (10-1) at Naas 3m hcp chs in Feb.
Harangue (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Disputed lead, pushed along briefly from 7th, headed before 10th, lost place next and not fluent, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Miss Xian (10-1) at Naas 3m hcp chs in Feb, 16 ran.
Archie Meade (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) 2nd when not fluent 1st, raced in 3rd, last before 3rd, closed up from 8th, prominent from 4 out, pushed along from next, challenged 2 out, soon disputed lead, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Rolly Baby (11-0) at Thurles 3m hdl in Mar.
