tracked leader close up, pressed leader home turn, ridden after 3 out, led and hung right after 2 out, in command when not fluent last, kept on well
held up in touch, bad mistake and blundered 10th, ridden and lost touch after 4 out, soon beaten and tailed off
led narrowly, not fluent 4 out, pressed home turn, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, well held from before last, stayed on one pace
BARDENSTOWN LAD is 3-4 over hurdles. He is having a first run since October and is being aimed at the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but may have the class to give 3lb to his two rivals. Where It All Began beat the odds-on Hors Piste at Tramore but will need to improve again and Lyrical Genius had his bubble burst at Huntingdon on Boxing Day.
Bardenstown Lad 85-40fav (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th, lost place and given reminders, rallied 3 out, led after 2 out, stayed on well flat, saddle slipped backwards, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct beating Dragon Bones (10-13) by 1l, 8 ran.
Lyrical Genius (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 6th, hampered 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, 5th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Gentleman At Arms (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Where It All Began (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd when mistake 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and 2 lengths clear when mistake last, soon strongly pressed, kept on well under pressure, all out, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hvy in Jan beating Hors Piste (10-13) by shd, 8 ran.
