chased leaders, soon 3rd, closer order 6th, under pressure into straight and lost position, kept on same pace without threatening after
chased leader, closer order 6th, weakened approaching last where impeded and no extra
soon raced in 5th, closer order 6th, headway on inner straight, switched left approaching last, kept on without troubling winner
towards rear, closer order 6th, headway on outer before 3 out, pushed along before straight, kept on same pace from before last
soon raced in 4th, closer order 6th, effort straight, kept on same pace from before last
towards rear, closer order 6th, headway travelling smoothly straight to lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in
led and soon went on, reduced lead and slight mistake 6th, headed approaching last where no extra when bad mistake and unseated rider
All nine entries are trained by either Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott with the former, who has won the last five of these, entering half-a-dozen. Saglawy had Mitchouka just over 2l in second, Saldier a further length behind, and Veneer Of Charm, Msassa and Eoline Jolie in the rear when landing a Grade 2 juvenile event at Fairyhouse last week. The winner, who started favourite, made most and ran on strongly so should confirm the form though Saldier made a couple of mistakes and can get closer. Paul Townend, who rode the winner, has chosen Mr Adjudicator this time and his mount had a tremendous battle with FARCLAS (NAP) in the Triumph Hurdle, eventually going down by just over a length. The winner got right on top in the closing stages and there doesn't appear any reason for a form reversal. The Triumph looked a strong race this year with the well-fancied Apple's Shakira only fourth and Saldier fifth so the form should hold up.
Farclas (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, close up when not clear run between last 2, ridden to lead narrowly when gap appeared approaching last, edged right flat, kept on, asserted final 75 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar beating Mr Adjudicator (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Mitchouka (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Raced in 4th, 3rd before 5th, 2nd at 6th, challenged between last 2, kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Saglawy (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Mr Adjudicator 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on to challenge approaching last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra and held final 75 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Farclas (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Msassa (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, 4th before 5th, 5th and slight mistake at 6th, pushed along into straight, no impression between last 2, slight mistake last, one pace, 5th of 7, 9l behind Saglawy (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Saglawy (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Made all, pressed between last 2, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Apr beating Mitchouka (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Saldier (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Raced in 2nd, 3rd at 6th, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last, kept on well run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Saglawy (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Raced keenly, led narrowly after 1st, came towards stands side rail turning in, soon driven, headed and one pace in 3rd when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Veneer Of Charm (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Raced in 5th, 6th from 6th, pushed along from 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening from between last 2, 4th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Saglawy (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Eoline Jolie (FR) 9-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, ridden in moderate 9th 2 out, soon no impression, 8th of 16, 18 1/4l behind Dawn Shadow (11-7) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
