always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, weakened before last
led, slight mistake 3rd, pressed 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th 2 out, soon no impression
held up, 9th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression next
held up, 8th halfway, progress into 5th entering straight, ridden in close 4th on rail before last, under pressure in 5th last, no extra and kept on one pace run-in
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 4 out, close 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, every chance and disputed before last, 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 2 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 5th approaching last, stayed on again run-in to 2nd close home
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 6th before last, stayed on to challenge last, soon led, kept on well run-in
mainly mid-division, 7th halfway, progress into 5th 2 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, narrow lead before last, strongly pressed last and soon headed, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 6th, lost place and ridden 4 out, soon towards rear and weakened
always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 2 out, weakened entering straight
Jessica Harrington has won this three times in the last seven years and Woodland Opera should find this less daunting than the Grade 1 and 2 races he's been involved in since his Navan maiden victory. Nicky Henderson sends Baden from the UK and he ran better than his finishing position suggests behind Yanworth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in January. Val De Ferbet was in excellent form for Willie Mullins at this time a year ago and should be winning soon for new connections though the champion trainer's BALKO DES FLOS looks the one to beat. A course and distance winner in January, he's found Grade 1 company over three miles just too much at Cheltenham and Aintree but was in contention at this trip in both and this could be his day. Supasundae looked a tremendous prospect when easily accounting for Silver Concorde at Leopardstown and ran well for a long way in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. This will be his first venture beyond the minimum trip but he looks a real threat. Hard To Call was very impressive at Limerick but takes a big step up in class.
Akito (FR) 3-1 (11-10) In rear, slight mistake 8th, pushed along to close 4 out, pushed along again after next, edged right straight, challenged from after 2 out, on terms from before last where slight mistake, soon no impression and one pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Grecian Tiger (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
All Hell Let Loose (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, weakened before last, 16th of 24, 24 3/4l behind Mall Dini (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, mistake 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, 4th and no impression before last, 4th of 15, 15 3/4l behind Ballyoptic (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Hard To Call (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Settled 4th, good headway on inner to lead 2 out where mistake, soon driven and asserted, clear at last, kept on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Apr beating Henry Howard (11-12) by 11l, 11 ran.
Moon Over Germany (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 2 out, pushed along to go 3rd at last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Sutton Place (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Supasundae 12-1 (11-7) Tracked front pair, ridden and lost place after 2 out, kept on same pace before last, 7th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Val De Ferbet (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Led, pressed approaching 3 out and joined, soon led again, pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Jennies Jewel (10-7) at Thurles 3m Yielding in Mar.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, 4th after 3 out, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 18l behind A Toi Phil (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Baden (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up behind in touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and effort before last, well held when switched right and weakened flat, 5th of 8, 32 3/4l behind Yanworth (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Gars Bar Dine (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Not fluent 1st 2 and not always fluent jumping after, led, joined from 3rd, headed before 7th and not fluent, soon back on terms, not fluent 3 out, dropped to 5th before 2 out, no extra, 5th of 20, 20l behind Candlestick (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Mireya (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led, pushed along and headed entering straight, soon dropped to 4th and no extra after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Vicangelome (11-5) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Apr.
