settled close up in 3rd, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, led early run-in and effortlessly stretched clear, very easily
led or disputed lead, strongly pressed from 2 out, headed early run-in and no chance with easy winner
disputed lead and kept to wide outside throughout, slow 4 out and lost place, disputed again briefly approaching straight, no extra and weakened after 2 out
A shocking turnout for this good prize and Scotsirish, who was engaged in the Red Mills at Gowran yesterday, is only in here as a precaution. Stablemate GOLDEN SILVER, already a triple Grade 1 winner and the conqueror of Big Zeb at Punchestown last month, should have an exercise gallop before facing rather better opposition in either the Champion Chase or the Ryanair at Cheltenham. Made In Taipan has a Grade 2 novice victory over the C&D to his credit but that turned out to be a very poor contest for the class and he's better over further nowadays and ran in the Grand National last year. The veteran Mansony was in quite good form at this time a year ago but has hardly picked his feet up in his three starts this season.
Golden Silver (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, 4th and no impression after 3 out, headway after 2 out, 2nd and challenged from last, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Big Zeb (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th when slight mistake 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 9, 21l behind Kempes (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) hvy.
Mansony (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Led, slight mistake 3rd, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, mistake next, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Dooneys Gate (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs.
Scotsirish (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Raced in 2nd, led 4 out, headed next, 4th and no extra after 2 out, 4th of 5, 16l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
