held up in touch, 6th halfway, pushed along on outer 3 out, ridden and kept on straight, never nearer
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed winner at last, kept on well run-in
always in rear, no impression from 4 out
held up in touch, 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
made all, travelling well 2 out, reduced lead when slight mistake last, ridden and kept on well run-in
mid-division, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out
always behind, tailed off from 3 out, completely tailed off
raced 2nd, ridden and weakened from 3 out
American Touch has disappointed since landing a point-to-point and finishing runner-up on his hurdling debut at Navan though this longer trip should bring out the best in him. Castle Wings needs a confidence booster after falling on his last two starts over hurdles, the latest when disputing the lead at the second last at Limerick. Bumper winner Quaquo De Flotte has only shown moderate form to date over timber including when stepped up to this trip at Naas last time but he has plenty of scope and looks certain to take a hand. PRIDE OF THE ARTIC, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, made a bold bid to make all over 2m2f at Fairyhouse last time but a last-flight blunder put paid to his chances and compensation awaits over this more suitable trip.
American Touch (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 44l behind Tell Dawstown (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gd in Nov.
Castle Wings (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Prominent, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden, joined and probably held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Whatwillwecallher (11-5) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Cilliseal (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along and no impression 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out and tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind He's A Delight (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gs in Oct.
Milano Magic (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Alw pr, cl up 3out, disp 2out, eff but not qckn last, kow, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Casson (12-0) at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Nov.
Pride Of The Artic (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, joined before 4 out, ridden and led again entering straight, strongly pressed from 2 out, strongly pressed and almost joined when bad mistake last, no extra and dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Mississippi River (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl sft.
Quaquo De Flotte (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Settled in rear of mid-division, headway to go 4th 2 out, no impression in 3rd when not fluent last, no extra, 4th of 17, 10l behind One In A Milan (11-12) at Naas 3m mdn hdl in Nov.
Super Touch (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind One In A Milan (11-12) at Naas 3m mdn hdl in Nov.
Karinga Queen (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, lost place halfway, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Hidden Crack (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) in Feb, 19 ran.
