waited with last of the 5, ridden to dispute moderate 2nd when not fluent last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
led, slight mistake 6th, joined 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace
tracked leader, keen hold, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led and quickly clear, stayed on well easily
waited with 4th of the 5, dropped to last and no extra from after 2 out
tracked leaders, keen hold, dropped to 4th and no extra from before last, kept on same pace
The racecourse management will be delighted to have attracted one of last season's top novices, ZAIDPOUR, on his comeback. Willie Mullins' Grade 1 Royal Bond winner was narrowly beaten in two subsequent starts at the highest level before a bad error stopped him in his tracks in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham. He's expected to take high rank this season and this looks an ideal start, though he'll be testing his stamina for the first time. Stamina is certainly no problem for this year's Grand National runner-up Oscar Time, who is no slouch over hurdles, though he'll surely need the run while Boland's Corner was racing off a mark of 109 when landing a Limerick handicap last month. Leave Him Alone is stepping up markedly in class after winning a point, a bumper and a maiden hurdle while Bacher Boy is much more likely to make his mark over fences this season.
Bacher Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Kakagh (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs in Oct, 10 ran.
Boland's Corner (GER) 16-1 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, soon led, clear from before 2 out, collided with rail run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 in Oct beating Dapper Dan (11-5) by 8l, 18 ran.
Zaidpour (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced when hit 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 7th of 15, 17l behind Al Ferof (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Leave Him Alone (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Waited with until left chasing leaders from 4th, closed up approaching straight, 2nd and challenged last, soon led and stretched on closing stages, won at Galway 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct beating Tynaghs Trooper (11-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Oscar Time (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, left 3rd 4 out, effort 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, ridden and every chance passsing elbow, kept on under pressure, no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 40, 2 1/4l behind Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
