mid-division, close to chase leaders after 4 out, 6th after 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace without threatening
prominent, slight mistake 5 out, 3rd after next, no extra 2 out, tailed off
soon trailing, pulled up before 5th
mid-division best, no extra from before 2 out, completely tailed off
prominent, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
towards rear, no impression from before 2 out, tailed off
prominent, led approaching 3rd, soon clear, headed before 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, no extra from 2 out
held up, closer in 9th after 4 out, kept on same pace without threatening under pressure from after 2 out
towards rear for most, tailed off
chased leaders, 4th after 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight
held up, progress from halfway, 5th after 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on without troubling winner
chased leaders, no impression under pressure on winner from after 2 out, kept on same pace straight
led early, prominent, led again before 2 out, ridden clear straight, slight mistake last, stayed on well
prominent, slipped up before 2nd
mistake and unseated rider 1st
unruly before start, soon behind, hampered 1st, completely tailed off
This has been won by some very useful performers including Harchibald and Kalahari King. Willie Mullins holds a very strong hand with Gowran debut winner Bagber, last week's Ballinrobe winner Rattan, and the consistent Popcorn, though the latter may have been fortunate to score at Thurles last time. Son Amix is the form pick on his second to Buena Vista at Cheltenham and though ultimately disappointing at Fairyhouse last week he was taking on much better class than this. Harpsy Chord has the look of a rapidly improving type who should make his presence felt but Nicky Henderson will know what he's up against with PRINCE OF PIRATES and it's the lightly-raced six-year-old, who may or may not have been fortunate when subsequent Festival winner Al Ferof fell at the second last when he made his hurdling debut at Cheltenham in December, that gets the vote.
Bagber 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 6th 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar beating Princeton Plains (11-12) by 2l, 20 ran.
Couleur De La Loi (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 8th when slight mistake 6th, soon no impression, 9th of 16, 40l behind Salesin (11-9) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Apr.
Hans Crescent (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, moderate 9th after 5 out, soon no impression in moderate 6th, fell last, in a race won by Erritt Lake (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Harpsy Cord (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Chased leaders, closed approaching straight, soon 2nd travelling best, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Mar beating Rockshandy (11-12) by 8l, 18 ran.
Leggy Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway into 6th 5 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace from before 2 out, 5th of 18, 28l behind Dundrum (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase in Feb.
Owennacurra Milan (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, some headway approaching straight, went 8th 2 out, kept on without reaching principals, 4th of 20, 8l behind Bobby John (10-9) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-102 in Mar.
Popcorn (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Led, clear before straight, reduced lead when left clear by faller two out, easily, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl in Mar beating Silver Chief (10-6) by 7l, 17 ran.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in 3rd, tracked leader before 3 out, 3 lengths 2nd when left in clear lead next to before last, shaken up when pressed flat, driven clear final 75 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Dec beating Robin De Creuse (10-12) by 4l, 16 ran.
Rattan (USA) 8-15fav (11-12) Soon raced in poor 3rd, 2nd and closed approaching 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6yo mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Glenstar (11-4) by 3l, 13 ran.
Shane Rock 11-8fav (11-7) Close up and disputed lead, 2nd 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 20l behind The Big Boyo (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f beg chase gd in Apr.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Held up, last 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 10, 29l behind Oscars Well (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Son Amix (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, led after 3rd until joined before 4 out, headed 3 out and soon no extra under pressure, weakened, 9th of 10, 28l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
The Bull Hayes (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 2 out, 2nd last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Canaly (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m nh nov hdl in Apr.
Tornedo Shay (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden along from 2 out, no impression when slight mistake last, 4th of 7, 6l behind Prima Vista (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Our Victoria (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 9th 5 out, no impression approaching straight, 8th of 17, 34l behind Quiet Thought (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+) in Apr.
Susie Van Hall (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, moderate 6th from before 5 out, ridden to close when hampered 2 out, no extra after, 5th of 12, 31l behind Caim Hill (11-7) at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft in Sep '08.
Sea Of Erris (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Well off pace in rear, fell 3 out, in a race won by False Economy (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hdl gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Do Brazil (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 15th of 21, well behind Gullinbursti (11-9) at Cork 2m 2f N H flat in Mar.
