soon tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th and ridden after 5 out, no extra from next
attempted to make all, joined after 5 out, gained slight lead last, one pace and headed run-in, no extra close home
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, some slight mistakes, on terms 4 out, dropped to close 3rd again and under pressure before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
prominent, raced towards outer and lost place from before 9th, lost touch from after 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, no extra 6 out, pulled up before 4 out
soon tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead after 5 out, narrowly headed last, kept on best to lead again run-in
always in rear, lost touch from 10th, pulled up before 4 out
Florida Express is penalised for winning twice over fences but hasn't had much experience for a 10-year-old and ended the last campaign landing a Listed event at Cork on heavy ground. Apt Approach will love the testing conditions and will be better for his recent run behind The Nightingale at Down Royal though this is his first attempt at the trip. Catch Me's claim to fame so far was when beating Brave Inca in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle two years ago and he hasn't done quite so well over fences. He makes a quick reappearance after being beaten a long way behind Little Josh in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham but that was only his second run since last December and he should be fit enough. A chance is taken on the fitness of CLAN TARA, who hasn't been seen since easily beating Prudent Honour at Fairyhouse in December but goes well fresh and looks a chaser to follow this campaign. Lucky At Last ran much better than expected behind Psycho at Naas yesterday but that may have taken its toll.
Florida Express (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Raced in 3rd 2nd from 4th, slight mistake and reminder 7th, led and slight mistake 5 out, clear from 2 out, kept on well run-in, eased close home, won at Cork 3m lst chs hvy in Apr beating Tinakellylad (11-2) by 8l, 6 ran.
Apt Approach (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, no extra in 4th 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 24l behind The Nightingale (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft.
Catch Me (GER) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, blundered 9th, headway 13th, weakening when hampered 2 out, 10th of 18, 37l behind Little Josh (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Lenabane (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 6 out, pushed along when mistake 2 out, soon no extra and eased from before last, 4th of 7, 32l behind Fisher Bridge (11-6) at Wexford 2m 6f chs in Oct.
Pink Suitcase (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always rear, no extra and weakened from 6 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Glencove Marina (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft.
Elysian Rock 9-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved to lead 3 out, ridden from next, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 5f beg chs sft beating Spring The Que (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Lingual Cusp (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Leon Og (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs hvy, 16 ran.
Clan Tara (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway to be close up from before 4 out, travelling best 3 out, led before 2 out, clear from before last where slightly slow, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs hvy in Dec beating Prudent Honour (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Lucky At Last (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway into 5th before 4 out, ridden in 6th and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 7, 22l behind The Nightingale (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft.
