mid-division on inner, ridden and weakened from 3 out
prominent, close 2nd when fell 5th
tracked leaders, ridden in 8th 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened from next
in rear, ridden along 3rd, never involved
mid-division on outer, ran in snatches and pushed along at 4th, ridden in 11th 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden in 9th 2 out, weakened
in rear and trailing while being pushed along early, never involved, ridden in 13th 2 out, no extra
mid-division, headway into close 6th 2 out, 2nd travelling well entering straight, ridden to lead at last, kept on well under pressure run-in
mid-division, ridden in 10th 2 out, 7th entering straight, kept on to go never nearer 4th close home
in rear, ridden 3 out, 12th next, no extra
in rear, ridden in moderate 15th 2 out, kept on without threatening straight
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra
prominent, led 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed at last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, close 2nd on inner 2 out, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd entering straight, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon weakened
soon led, bad mistake 4 out, headed and ridden 2 out, weakened entering straight
towards rear, no impression from 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, headway on outer 3 out, 7th next, ridden in 4th at last, stayed on well run-in to press leaders to line
in rear, ridden along in moderate 14th 2 out, no impression
This is one of the toughest races in the Calendar to weigh up and the shortest priced winner in the last ten years has been 10/1. Shrapnel has had 15 starts over timber but only one in a handicap. He's suddenly found his form and there was much to like about his recent victory at Downpatrick. After his cracking run behind Ted Veale in the County Hurdle, Tennis Cap was expected to win at Fairyhouse but flopped badly and could have been feeling the effects. Willie Mullins is also represented by Tasitiocht, who makes his handicap debut from a fair mark though disappointed at Fairyhouse in February. Snap Tie was the surprise winner of this a year ago when returning from a very long break. It was a brilliant training performance by Philip Hobbs but his charge is now 11lb higher and nowhere near as well handicapped. SIZING MACHINE hasn't had much experience but is progressing with every run and though raised 4lb for a short-head defeat by Captain Arceus at Fairyhouse he still looks well in and is handed the vote. Sitcom makes her handicap debut with a fair weight though this will only be the Cork winner's third start over timber.
Snap Tie (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, effort when hit 3 out, kept on same pace, weakened before last, 11th of 18, 25l behind Olofi (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Tennis Cap (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Led, headed and folded quickly approaching 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, 30l behind Pique Sous (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1).
Fosters Cross (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, no extra before last, 8th of 22, 7l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Benash (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th before 4 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 30l behind A Fine Young Man (11-9) at Cork 2m beg chs in Mar.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 19th of 22, 45l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Shrapnel (IRE) 6-5fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along to lead before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd beating Rattan (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Mount Colah (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Prominent, close 2nd 4 out, led after next, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed after 2 out, 3rd when bad mistake last, no extra run-in, 6th of 22, 5l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Beef To The Heels (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In rear, last and pushed along halfway, last entering straight, modest late headway from last, 15th of 22, 30l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Il Fenomeno (ITY) 12-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, headway into 9th and ridden 3 out, 9th next, no extra, 10th of 22, 7l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Abbey Lane (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan, 28 ran.
Citizenship 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 5th 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 22, 2 3/4l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Abou Ben (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Towards rear for most, no impression from before 2 out, 14th of 18, well behind Drive Time (10-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Apr '12.
Shamiran (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, headway on outer approaching 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight and soon no extra, 8th of 17, 34l behind Brian Who (9-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140.
Sizing Machine (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Always prominent, improved to lead 4 out, headed and ridden after next, led again before last, soon joined and strongly pressed, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 22, shd behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Tasitiocht (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Attempted to make all, joined 4 out, in front again before straight, pressed 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Glens Melody (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (5-7yo) sft in Feb.
Sitcom (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, travelling well straight, led last, ridden clear and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Mar beating Chiltern Hills (11-7) by 5l, 20 ran.
Wrekin Rock (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden 3 out and soon no extra, weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Canaly (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Tristram Shandy (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Mid-division, 9th 3 out, soon ridden, 8th 2 out, kept on without threatening, 4th of 22, 2 1/4l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Enchanted Forest (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, 7th 3 out, soon ridden, 6th next, stayed on from last, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 22, 1 3/4l behind Captain Arceus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m ext hcp hdl.
Glen Beg (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 2nd before last, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Roman Numeral (9-8) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Mar.
