chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2 out, no impression before last, slight mistake last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd at line
made all, asserted before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
mid-division, ridden before 2 out, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and no impression 2 out, soon no extra
soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra before last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden into 6th entering straight, no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden into 5th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on run-in to go 2nd at line
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace from before last
The King Of Brega is defying the years having been dropped back to this trip on good ground to complete a Thurles double. He's now on a career-high mark and this looks tougher. MING DYNASTY (NAP) had plenty in hand when scoring at Naas, his first success over hurdles after six Flat victories. He's gone up 9lb but there looks plenty more in the tank and a double looks on the cards. Curley Bill hasn't run over hurdles since 2013 but returned to the Flat after a very long break with a victory last April so shouldn't be dismissed. Kuiper Belt and Silver Star represent Gordon Elliott and the former, who completed a four-timer on fast going last summer, will relish the conditions.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along after 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to narrow lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Jan beating Ask Nile (11-3) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cliff House (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Led early and raced on outer throughout, joined 2nd, headed 4th, 5th 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, not fluent at last, 10th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Blast Of Koeman (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
Kuiper Belt (USA) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 4 out, progress into 3rd on inner 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, last of 6, 13 1/2l behind Slippery Serpent (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Silver Star (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Towards rear, detached after 4 out, headway after 3 out and went 5th when fell next, at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Feb.
Ming Dynasty (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) A little keen, soon tracked leaders, 3rd after 2nd, still travelling smoothly straight, challenged last, led run-in, stayed on well to quickly assert, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hcp gd in Feb beating Mountain Fox (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
Polished Steel (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, no impression, 5th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Eight And Bob (10-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
My Manekineko 25-1 (11-9) Held up in last, moderate 5th 4 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, moderate 4th before last, kept on to go moderate 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Reach Up (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Tara Dylan (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Well off pace towards rear, slight mistake 6th, detached in last next, soon no danger, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Robin On The Hill (10-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Jan.
Western Sea (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Mid-division early, pulled hard and headway to lead after 1st, ran off bend and dropped to mid-division after 2nd, headway to lead at 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened, 7th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Geneva Barracks (11-0) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Curley Bill (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, mid-division, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression on outer over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Nessun Dorma (9-5) at Galway 1m 4f hcp sft in Aug.
Moonmeister (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden 2f out and some headway between horses over 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Park Row (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
