mid-division, closed on inside from 5th, outpaced after 4 out, well held 3 out, plugged on flat, no impression
held up in rear, headway on outside after 9th, chasing leaders 3 out, 3rd when hit last, stayed on under pressure flat, went 2nd close home, not quite able to challenge winner
tended to run in snatches and lacked fluency, mostly mid-division until closed 4 out, 4th last, tried to press for 2nd flat, no extra close home
tracking leaders 2nd, went 2nd and jumped slightly left 3 out, hung left before last, stayed on, not able to challenge winner and lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, reached at 9th and struggling to hold position soon after, weakened before 3 out
prominent, not always fluent, led after 4 out, headed next, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 8th, squeezed through on inside to chase leaders on bend before 2 out, driven and beaten after 2 out, 5th and weakening last
led until 4th, soon hanging right, lost place next, behind when pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders, led 4th, mistake 4 out, soon headed, weakened before next, tailed off
mid-division, closed from 9th, challenged after 4 out, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, held on well close home
not that fluent in rear, lost touch after 3 out, pulled up before last
NonRunner
The Worlds End had just joined the front rank when falling in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but was being ridden at the time and there may have not been much between him and eventual fourth Constantine Bay at the finish had he stood up. Elegant Escape was well beaten in that race but his stablemate WEST APPROACH (NAP) shouldn’t be far away. Colin Tizzard has been somewhat tilting at windmills with this one since an unlucky run in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November but he would have a chance second to none on his third in the Cleeve Hurdle in January. Keeper Hill’s run in the Neptune Investment last month suggests he’ll be suited by this longer trip while Thurles second Moulin A Vent appeared to handle quicker ground at Down Royal in the autumn. Ballymalin reverts to novice company after a couple of decent runs in handicaps but Beyond Conceit will have his stamina to prove.
Ballymalin (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 5th, headed before next, stayed handy, led again before 2 out, headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace before last, 7th of 24, 14l behind Presenting Percy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Beyond Conceit (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place after 2 out, no impression before last, 6th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Constantine Bay 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway on outside after 3 out, close up when badly hampered and lost place next, soon under pressure, ridden and stayed on to take modest 4th flat, unable to challenge, 4th of 15, 15 1/2l behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Debece 5-2fav (11-13) Tracked leaders, 2nd 5th, led next, clear before 3 out, went left and hit 2 out, virtually pulled up run-in, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Leaderofthedance (11-7) by 19l, 8 ran.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Prominent, pressed leader from 6th, driven and lost place after 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 7th of 15, 26l behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Get On The Yager 1-5fav (12-2) Made all, pushed along and 4 lengths clear 2 out, pushed out, readily, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar beating Comely (10-9) by 15l, 4 ran.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 6th, outpaced before 3 out, never near leaders, 7th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Monbeg Charmer (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Made all, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, hard ridden after next, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 3m (2) gd in Feb beating Soupy Soups (11-13) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Testify (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led briefly 5th, niggled along 7th, challenged 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, rallied after 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place run-in, 2nd of 4, 10l behind De Vous A Moi (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (3) hvy in Feb.
The Worlds End (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, with leaders and every chance when fell next, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
West Approach 28-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, hit 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Moulin A Vent 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, progress 3 out and challenged entering straight, pushed along and led briefly before last, headed last and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Tin Soldier (11-0) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
