raced in 3rd, closed up before straight, ridden to challenge and on terms before 2 out, soon not match winner, not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leader, dropped to 3rd and ridden before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out
led, pressed and joined before 2 out, soon asserted, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably
soon raced 4th of the 6, mistake 3 out, soon no impression
raced 5th of the 6, dropped to last and no extra approaching straight
in rear, moderate 5th and no danger approaching straight, kept on same pace
UNIKA LA RECONCE showed her potential in France before storming to a maiden victory for Willie Mullins at Thurles. She started odds-on at Clonmel in February but found the much more experienced Rathlin just too strong, though she would have won but for a last-flight error. Compensation awaits here with her allowance likely to prove crucial against Bonisland, who has some strong form but may just be better over further. Moscow Mannon, a close fourth in last year's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, has come up against some smart performers over timber and run well enough to make his presence felt.
Bonisland 4-5fav (11-3) Raced 3rd, improved to dispute close 2nd when slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden in 2nd, kept on run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Suntiep (11-4) at Navan 2m 7f nov hdl hvy in Mar.
Dushybeag (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 5 out and pushed along approaching straight, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Rathlin (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f hdl in Feb.
Legal Exit (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 4th, dropped to 6th and ridden before 2 out, weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Champagne Fever (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Director's Forum (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Towards rear, 7th halfway, ridden entering straight and moderate 4th 2 out, no extra, 5th of 8, 44l behind Jezki (10-13) at Naas 2m hdl Grade 3 (1) in Nov.
Embatt (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, reminders after 4 out, no extra and weakened after 3 out, last of 7, well behind Inish Island (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Noble Pageant (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, 7th 4 out, no impression next, ridden in moderate 5th before straight, kept on one pace to 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 32l behind Pencilhimin (11-12) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
Clonbanan Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, went moderate 4th before last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Mallowney (11-9) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) sft in Mar.
Moscow Mannon (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders on outer and keen early, improved to lead 3 out, strongly pressed and ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Mallowney (11-9) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) sft in Mar.
Unika La Reconce (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Settled in 4th, headway to go 2nd before 5 out and led entering straight, asserted before last where mistake and soon ridden, no extra and headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Rathlin (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f hdl in Feb.
