tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and pecked last, no impression
tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, kept on and always held
made all, ridden before last, kept on well
FAGAN (NAP) ran a blinder when second to Unowhatimeanharry in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and good ground is clearly the key to him. The conditions of this race mean that he gets 3lb from his rivals which tilts things further in his direction. Up For Review was pulled up in that Cheltenham race having raced keenly in the early stages. He is going to struggle to turn the tables but Willie Mullins also runs Nambour, only third behind his stablemate at Punchestown in December but beaten just a head in a Grade 2 over 2m4f at Fairyhouse on his latest start. Barney Dwan is no mug as he's won three of his five hurdles starts including a Grade 3 handicap last time at Sandown.
Barney Dwan (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Potters Legend (11-12) by 4l, 18 ran.
Nambour (GER) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 2nd approaching straight, travelling smoothly 2 out, ridden to challenge between last 2 and every chance, soon on terms, kept on well, not quite match winner and headed near line, 2nd of 12, hd behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Mar.
Up For Review (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, led, hit 3rd, headed 4th, stayed prominent until lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Fagan 33-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway between last 2, 4th and closing last, kept on and went 2nd final 75 yards, held close home, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
