chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until 7th, led before last, driven and headed towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 4 out, mistake next, ridden, hanging left and found nil after 2 out
held up in 4th, blundered 1st, went 2nd 7th, hit next, 3rd and one pace when blundered last, weakened flat
held up, hampered and unseated rider 9th
led, not fluent 1st, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
held up, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headway 7th, jumped slowly 8th, fell next
tracked leader, not fluent 1st, lost 2nd 6th, losing place next, rallied 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on well to lead towards finish
Le Bacardy has been back in the groove with recent victories at Towcester and Taunton but is not an easy ride and has a penalty to carry. Sonofagun was all out to score at Ludlow last month and has picked up another 7lb for his troubles but Doynosaur is starting to look well treated again and ran better than the final result suggests at Kempton last month. BACK TO BALLOO probably came up against a decent novice in Miley Shah when favourite at Naas last time. He's been quite highly tried in Ireland this season and may now be ready to open his account over the larger obstacles as Araglen Lad may need this.
Le Bacardy (FR) 6-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd soon after 4 out, led approaching next, clear 2 out, kept on well, easily, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Overclear (11-11) by 14l, 5 ran.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, went 2nd from 4th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Miley Shah (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Mar.
Doynosaur 8-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 5 out, soon chasing leaders, effort on inner 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 7l behind Kitegen (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs in Mar.
Claragh Native (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Held up, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, hit 6th, jumped slowly and ridden next, soon behind, last of 7, 28l behind Swift Arrow (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Feb.
Araglen Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd and soon clear, led after 3rd, reduced advantage halfway, headed before 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, 5th of 9, 32l behind Slew Charm (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 gd in Dec.
Ellaway Rose (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, progress to go 2nd 3 out, mistake next, no impression on easy winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Kates Benefit (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 2f mrs beg chs hvy in Mar.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered 6th and again next when bumped, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, 49l behind Bellorophon (10-11) at Kelso 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Sonofagun (FR) 7-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, lost place 5th, headway next, not fluent 7th, hit 9th, one pace 4 out, rallied before 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Mar beating Oyster Shell (11-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
