chased leader in 2nd, slow jump 2nd, ridden before 2 out, soon no impression and weakened
towards rear and 10th from halfway, pushed along before 2 out and soon good progress into 4th, disputed lead last and kept on best under pressure run-in to lead closing stages
mid-division and 8th from halfway, pushed along before 2 out and soon no impression
towards rear, not fluent 1st and 11th from halfway, took closer order before 2 out and ridden in 6th before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders and 4th from halfway, 5th from 3 out and good progress on inner from next, disputed lead last, ridden and headed closing stages
mid-division and 5th from halfway, lost place from 4 out and pushed along after next, no extra from 2 out
mid-division and 7th from halfway, lost place and pushed along before 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, 3rd from halfway, ridden before 2 out and soon weakened, kept on same pace from before last
mid-division and 6th from halfway, progress into 4th from 4 out and switched left to challenge in 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
mid-division and 9th from halfway, took closer order on outer from 3 out and pushed along in 5th before last, ridden and kept on same pace in 4th run-in
towards rear and not fluent 4th, pushed along and detached from 5 out where not fluent, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out
BAY HILL has been here three times and won twice with his other hurdles success coming at Thurles last time where he got up by a short-head. He may have won more cosily but for slowing up approaching the last and though up 6lb can continue the winning thread. Just Get Cracking returned from a spell over fences in good form and his close second to Ingleby Mackenzie at Tramore in August was a fine effort while winning bumper Gagas Horse had some strong form in maidens over hurdles in the summer of last year and makes his handicap debut for new connections. Antimatter shot up the weights after completing a double last October and has been struggling but is now just 3lb higher than his last victory. Drakaina has a course and distance victory to her credit and has to be on the shortlist from the bottom of the weights.
Laid Back Luke (IRE) 5-1 (12-9) 7th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Markhan (12-3) at Punchestown 1m 7f gd in Nov.
Just Get Cracking (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Close up, 3rd after 6th, progress to 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Ingleby Mackenzie (10-1) at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Gagas Horse 11-2 (11-12) Held up, slight mistake 4th, 8th after 5th, slight mistake 8th, closer in 6th 2 out, chased front pair and kept on same pace without threatening run-in, 3rd of 15, 8 1/4l behind The Rory Story (11-12) at Galway 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Oscars Den (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 13th of 15, dist behind Ancient Sands (11-10) at Listowel 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Antimatter (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged entering straight, ridden in 2nd 3 out, no extra before next, 8th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Allez Kal (10-3) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Bay Hill (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Prominent early, chased leaders after 1st, 3rd halfway, 2nd from 5th, challenged 2 out, soon disputed, ridden to lead before last, slight mistake last, joined and disputed run-in, just prevailed at line, won at Thurles 2m hcp gf in Nov beating Benny In Milan (11-12) by shd, 10 ran.
Reach Up 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 1st, improved to lead before 2 out, headed approaching straight, weakened to 3rd before last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 18 1/4l behind Ravenhill (11-10) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f gd in Jun.
Bendanella (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) 11th of 16, 23 1/4l behind Markhan (12-3) at Punchestown 1m 7f gd in Nov.
Linger (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, moderate 5th 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Warnaq (10-8) at Navan 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Drakaina (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Waited with, 12th approaching halfway, headway from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening from after 2 out, 6th of 16, 10 1/2l behind Ar Eagla Na Heagla (10-13) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Littlestickarubarb (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division early, 12th before halfway, some headway from 3 out and chased leaders from next, kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 19, 12 3/4l behind For Pedro (11-2) at Galway 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Oct.
The Reaping Race (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Waited with, 12th from 3rd, slight mistakes 5th and 6th, pushed along and no impression from 3 out where slight mistake, one pace, 12th of 14, 31 1/4l behind Felix Desjy (11-10) at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct.
