tracked clear leader in clear 2nd, took closer order before 9th, closed 4 out, challenged leader 2 out, no impression on winner before last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in
led and clear, made all, increased advantage at 2nd, reduced lead before 9th, 5 lengths clear at 10th, 1 length clear 4 out, pressed 2 out where not fluent, asserted before last, kept on well
led and clear, made all, increased advantage at 2nd, reduced lead before 9th, 5 lengths clear at 10th, 1 length clear 4 out, pressed 2 out where not fluent, asserted before last, kept on well
towards rear, in rear after 2nd, moderate 6th after 5th, took closer order before 9th, progress after 3 out, no impression in 5th before last, slightly hampered run-in, soon no extra in 4th
mid-division, moderate 5th after 5th, not fluent at 8th, took closer order before 9th, progress to 3rd 4 out, no impression last where bad mistake and pecked, dropped to 5th and not recover
towards rear, moderate 3rd after 5th, took closer order before 9th, 4th after 10th, 5th 4 out, dropped to rear after 3 out, weakened before last
BIRCHDALE is not the easiest to assess. He was a little low-key last time but it was a decent contest and the form of his penultimate run when landing a big purse at Leopardstown in February reads well. Mark McDonagh was in the plate that day and is back on board here claiming a useful 7lb. He's just given the nod over Fire Attack. The latter is inexperienced over fences with just the three runs to his name but has shown some very useful form and this looks a good opening for his handicap bow. He should be right in the mix. Old Town Garde is also lightly-raced and is in here off a lowly weight for Gordon Elliott on handicap debut and needs taking seriously.
Bold Enough (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent 8th, some headway but plenty to do when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, dist behind The Last Day (10-6) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Fire Attack (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Led, joined briefly 2nd, joined again 6th and headed 4 out, led again 2 out, pushed along and headed early straight, no impression when mistake last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Ciel De Neige (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Feb.
Snugsborough Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway into 6th 3 out, led on outer before next. ridden and joined 2 out, headed and dropped to 3rd at last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 13, 8 3/4l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Kildorrery (IRE) 7-2fav (11-13) Held up in rear, closer after 4 out, pushed along and no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 7th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Defan (11-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Old Town Garde (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent at 1st and 6th, slight mistake at 9th, improved to 4th at 11th, 3rd 4 out, 4th 3 out where slight mistake, no extra after 2 out, 4th of 5, 10 1/2l behind Max Flamingo (11-10) at Killarney 2m 7f gd in May.
Siberian Star 16-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, no impression 4 out, soon no extra, weakened, 6th of 15, dist behind Peaches And Cream (10-8) at Punchestown 3m 7f hcp gd in Apr.
Birchdale (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra after 2 out, slight mistake last, 7th of 15, 24 3/4l behind El Barra (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
