tracked leaders, 3rd 2 out, soon pushed along, improved to dispute lead at last, ridden run-in and stayed on well to lead close home
led and quickly clear, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden after 2 out, joined at last, kept on under pressure run-in, headed and no extra close home
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd again before 2 out, dropped to moderate 3rd at last, no extra run-in and dropped to 4th close home
always behind, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
held up in 6th, headway after 4 out, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, weakened, mistake at last
held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden entering straight, no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders in 5th, dropped to 6th on outer entering straight, 6th 2 out and soon pushed along, moderate 4th at last, ran on strongly run-in, reminders inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, never nearer
tracked leaders, mistake at 3rd, went 4th on inner 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
Gordon Elliott has three entries. Hardline has won three times and though placed in two Grade 1's was beaten a long way in both before returning to winning ways in a Punchestown Listed contest. Defi Bleu won a Navan bumper in December and faces a stiff task on his hurdling debut but CARTWRIGHT, six times a winner on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott, was very impressive when scooting away with a Navan maiden and looks one to follow. Speak Easy easily beat subsequent winner Dis Donc at Navan before finding Grade 1 company beyond him on this track where his jumping went to pieces in the latter stages. Discorama and Impact Factor are going well but look to have a bit to find.
Hardline (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-12) Ran 4th, headway before 2 out and soon led, pushed along to assert approaching last where not fluent, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Punchestown 2m lst (1) hvy in Feb beating Riders Onthe Storm (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Impact Factor (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Led, joined 3 out, led again soon after next, pushed out and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Eagle Lion (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Cartwright 7-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, improved to lead 2 out, soon pushed along and went clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Naas 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating Epicuris (11-12) by 16l, 19 ran.
Defi Bleu (FR) 4-5fav (11-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, 2nd on outer halfway, ridden 3f out, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Navan 2m sft in Dec beating Calicojack (12-0) by 4l, 9 ran.
Discorama (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 5th after 4 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, no extra and moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Dortmund Park (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f hvy in Jan.
Makitorix (FR) 25-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway on outer straight, ridden to chase winner last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 28, 5l behind Off You Go (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Speak Easy 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden in 5th after 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Next Destination (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Tara Dylan (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division on outer, 6th 3 out, headway into moderate 4th and ridden entering straight, 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 14, 4 1/4l behind Minnies Secret (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Jan.
