rear of mid-division, progress before 3rd, improved to 3rd after 7th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, lost place before last where not fluent, weakened run-in
tracked leader, 2nd after 4th, closed 4 out, led narrowly before 3 out, asserted before 2 out, clear before last, eased run-in, easily
towards rear, dropped to 7th after 7th, 8th at 8th, niggled along after 4 out, no impression after 3 out, weakened 2 out, never a factor
raced in rear, soon slightly detached, not fluent at 3rd, soon closed up on field, 8th after 7th, progress at 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, never a factor
towards rear, not fluent at 2nd, slight mistake at 3rd, progress to 5th after 7th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on in 4th run-in, no threat
chased leader, progress before 2nd, 4th after 7th, slight mistake at 8th, under pressure and lost place before 3 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out
led, slight mistake at 5th, not fluent at 7th, 2 lengths clear at 8th, reduced advantage 4 out, headed before 3 out where slight mistake, soon ridden, no impression on leader 2 out, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, 5th before 3rd, 6th after 7th, headway after 4 out, progress to 3rd before 2 out, no impression on leader, ridden and kept on without threatening run-in
Most of these are scrambling for form while Snow Falcon hasn’t run over hurdles in more than four years, though was placed twice at Grade 2 level over fences last season. Official ratings give a big chance to Darver Star but, like many of these, he’s better known as a chaser nowadays. DARASSO is back over a more suitable trip so we’ll take Joseph O’Brien’s charge to come good given he finished ahead of Scarpeta in a Navan Grade 2 in February.
Chosen Mate (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closer in 7th halfway, fell 3 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Darasso (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, behind from 3rd, 19th of 25, 20 1/2l behind Belfast Banter (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Darver Star (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) In rear, trailing and niggled along 3rd, bad mistake 6th, no impression from next, never a factor, 6th of 8, 31 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Dommage Pour Toi (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd and lost place, dropped towards rear before 4 out, detached after 3 out, tailed off, 18th of 22, dist behind Drop The Anchor (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Low Sun 80-1 (11-7) Slightly impeded early, soon mid-division, pushed along after 5 out, no extra from before straight, 19th of 24, 36 1/4l behind Koshari (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Paloma Blue (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Pushed along briefly early, soon mid-division, slight mistake 4th and pushed along again, slightly impeded 4 out, soon no danger, 13th of 19, dist behind Sully D'Oc Aa (10-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Scarpeta (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Waited with behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, a little keen and soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, no impression before next in 5th, 4th again run-in, one pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Beacon Edge (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Chased leaders early, jumped left 2nd, mid-division before 4th, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 12th of 24, 25 3/4l behind Foxy Jacks (9-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
