led briefly early, prominent, led again from 4f out, headed early straight, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, under pressure approaching straight, soon no impression
soon towards rear, pushed along at stages, weakened 5f out, eased from before straight, completely tailed off
held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, soon no impression, eased straight, tailed off
tracked leaders, 2nd approaching straight, soon led and went on, kept on well final furlong
towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching straight, soon moderate 5th and no impression, kept on without threatening final furlong
tracked leaders, tight for room briefly 5f out, weakened from over 3f out
held up in touch, went 3rd approaching straight, soon 2nd and pushed along, kept on well without matching winner inside final furlong
soon led, headed from 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
The best bumper of the season so far. Minella Encore would have remained unbeaten in four starts but for falling on his debut in a point-to-point and has the advantage of a victory over the course and distance. The latter remark also applies to his stable companion Blackbow, who made a very impressive bumper debut on the track on St Stephen's Day when beating The Holy One just over 3l. The runner-up had earlier finished around the same distance behind RAPID ESCAPE, who then went on to land a Navan Listed contest in a canter under Lisa O'Neill. Gordon Elliott's charge is taken to continue his winning run though Rhinestone won a Thurles bumper on heavy going by 19l and could be anything as could Nina Carberry's mount Brace Yourself, who won by even further at Down Royal.
Minella Encore (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Made all, reduced lead approaching straight, soon pushed along, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec beating The Gunner Murphy (11-11) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Rapid Escape (IRE) 2-5fav (11-11) Led, joined approaching halfway, soon headed and raced in moderate 2nd, closed from before straight, led again under 3f out, ridden to assert from 2f out, stayed on well, won at Navan 2m lst (1) hvy in Dec beating Lady Ischia (11-4) by 11l, 5 ran.
Empire Burleque (IRE) 11-8 (11-13) Made all, pushed along 2f out, strongly pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Feb beating Fulham Road (12-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Village Mystic (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Led and disputed early, led narrowly approaching halfway, pressed entering straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m sft in Jan beating Jack Dillinger (11-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Blackbow (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd travelling smoothly approaching straight, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, regained lead inside last, stayed on best to soon assert, won at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Dec beating The Holy One (11-9) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Brace Yourself (IRE) 7-4 (11-11) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5f out, improved to dispute 3f out, led 2f out, pushed out to assert over 1f out, soon clear and eased down inside final furlong, impressive, won at Down Royal 2m hvy in Dec beating Dorydalis (11-11) by 24l, 8 ran.
Dunvegan (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Made all, took keen hold early, pushed along 2f out, went clear 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan beating Clinton Hill (12-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Rhinestone (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Led early, soon tracked leader in 2nd, left in lead after 5f, travelled well over 2f out, asserted under 2f out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Thurles 2m hvy in Dec beating Sancta Simona (11-4) by 19l, 10 ran.
The Shunter (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed 2f out, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Tornado Flyer (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Jan.
