prominent and tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd 2 out and no impression approaching last, no extra
led, strongly pressed and headed before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in but not match winner
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead before 2 out, ridden and drifted left under pressure run-in, kept on best
chased leaders mainly 5th, no extra after 3 out, weakened
chased leaders mainly 4th, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
This has been won by some high-class performers and that trend should continue here. Rathlin improved with every run over fences, culminating in a second to Flemenstar in the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. He's penalised for an earlier Grade 2 victory and didn't look at his best on his reappearance though that should have done him good. Foildubh ran some cracking races last season including when landing a Grade A handicap at Punchestown. He reappeared with an impressive victory over timber at Tipperary and is likely to make further progress this season. HIDDEN CYCLONE is well in here receiving weight from the above pair as he was beaten less than 2l by Sir Des Champs in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in January. He goes well fresh so the long absence shouldn't be a concern and he's handed the vote. Odonimee was in touch when falling at Thurles last week and he's a progressive type over fences as is the mare Glibin, who gets all the allowances though she'll need more improvement to get competitive.
Rathlin 5-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 7, well behind Down In Neworleans (11-8) at Limerick 2m 3f chs Grd 3 (1) sft.
Foildubh (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Chased leader in 2nd, led before 5th, challenged briefly before 2 out, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl hvy beating Scots Gaelic (10-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 11-10 (11-5) Settled behind leaders in 4th, mistake 5th, 3rd 7 out, challenged 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on run-in, no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.
Odonimee (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Prominent, 3rd halfway, pushed along but still close up when fell 3 out, in a race won by Our Victoria (11-5) at Thurles 2m 2f Mares Chase (5yo+), 8 ran.
Glibin (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, headway to dispute 4 out and led next, idled on run-in and strongly pressed from 1f out, driven out and kept on best closing stages, won at Galway 2m 1f nov chs sft in Aug beating Great Oak (10-11) by nk, 7 ran.
