soon in rear, not fluent 4th and 5th, some headway when left 3rd from 3 out and hampered, one pace after and not fluent at last
soon raced in moderate 5th, pushed along at stages, 6th before 5th, quickly dropped to last, no danger 6th, 6th again when left 4th from 3 out
held up, soon 6th, headway from before 5th, closing to chase leader when fell 3 out
soon chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd at 6th, closing when fell 3 out
soon chased leaders in 4th, pushed along at stages, under pressure from 6th, left 2nd from 3 out, on terms from before straight, soon led, asserted approaching last where mistake, kept on run-in and reduced lead towards finish
soon raced in 2nd, not fluent 4th, 3rd at 6th, no extra and eased in last approaching 3 out where left 5th
soon led and clear, slight mistake 6th, reduced lead and joined from before straight, soon headed and no impression, kept on run-in and closing on winner at finish
Wicklow Brave beat better fancied rivals in this a year ago after which he pursued a career at the highest level on the Flat. He'd arrived after a moderate run behind Buveur D'Air in the Champion Hurdle and is taking the same path this time so a big run is expected. He has four stablemates to accompany him including Min, fourth in the Champion Chase here on Tuesday, and MELON, beaten just a neck in the Champion Hurdle after looking the likely winner on the run-in. The latter is taken to go one better though Samcro has won a point-to-point, three bumpers and four races over hurdles in his unbeaten run and those who supported him into odds-on for the 2m5f Ballymore at Cheltenham never had a moment's concern. He's obviously a high-class novice but is playing with the big boys here for the first time and doesn't represent any value. Supasundae, runner-up in the Stayers' Hurdle and the Aintree Hurdle, still has the pace for this as he showed when beaten Faugheen in the Irish Champion Hurdle and will ensure there is no hanging about.
Bleu Berry (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Soon chased leaders, 4th after 6th, slight mistake 7th, one pace 2 out, 4th of 11, 31 1/2l behind Coquin Mans (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Coquin Mans (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Close up, on terms from 5th, led narrowly before 7th, joined 2 out, soon regained lead and stayed on well from before last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr beating Diamond Cauchois (11-8) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Melon 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closed on downhill run after 5th, not much room and checked after 3 out, challenged from next, upsides winner flat, edged right towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Buveur D'Air (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Samcro (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Held up in touch, tracked leaders going well 3 out, led turning in, ridden clear before last, edged right flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar beating Black Op (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Supasundae 11-10fav (11-7) Held up, led chasing group after 5th, closed 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led just before last, headed soon after hurdle, stayed on but not impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 3l behind L'Ami Serge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
The Game Changer (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 8th of 9, 29 1/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Wicklow Brave 14-1 (11-10) Held up in last trio, headway on outside 3 out, chasing leaders after next, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 22 1/2l behind Buveur D'Air (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Min (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 3rd entering straight, soon no impression in 4th, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
