rear of mid-division, mistake 5 out, never a factor
prominent, improved to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, joined before last where not fluent, led narrowly after last, kept on under pressure, headed line
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, under pressure 5th, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, slow 2nd, under pressure next, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, never a factor
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, pushed along on inner to dispute lead before last, ridden and headed narrowly early run-in, rallied and stayed on well to lead at line
led, jumped left 6th, ridden after 3 out, mistake and joined 2 out, headed before last, no impression
mid-division, weakened from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division, mistake 1st, pushed along in moderate 5th 3 out, ridden in moderate 5th before last, 4th inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, jumped left 6th, ridden in 4th 3 out, weakened
prominent, lost position 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, moderate 9th 3 out, some modest late progress, never a factor
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 6th, moderate 7th 3 out, ridden in moderate 4th next, went 3rd after last, kept on without threatening leaders
rear of mid-division, mistake 4 out, never a factor
Winning bumper and hurdler Rocket Lad ran his best race for some time at Cork a month ago and though beaten a long way that was a better race than this. ARVICO BLEU has now had 12 starts over fences without winning but will find this much more to his liking than the tough handicaps he's been racing in and can finally get off the mark over the bigger obstacles. Half Shot has improved massively since tackling fences and has been beaten narrowly in similar company the last twice so has to be a threat. Nero Rock is bred for chasing so the fact that he was able to win two races over hurdles is a bonus and he's one to note.
Aa Bee See 50-1 (11-5) Waited with, 16th after 4th, no impression 2 out, 17th of 19, 29 1/2l behind Rebel Early (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Towards rear, rear of mid-division when pecked 3 out, no extra, 17th of 20, dist behind A Wave Of The Sea (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb.
Ashqar (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along and lost place 3 out, soon no extra and pulled up before next, at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Change Hill (IRE) (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 4th at 3rd, 9th from 5th, bhnd from 2out until b hmprd & ur last, at Dromahane 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Force Of Forces (FR) 50-1 (9-10) Waited with on outer and a little keen, 11th from 4th, no impression from 3 out, 15th of 16, dist behind Conron (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Gold Des Bois (FR) 50-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, no extra after 2 out, never a factor, 18th of 20, 20 1/4l behind Hearts Are Trumps (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Half Shot (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Led and disputed, led 3 out, pressed before 2 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Port Rashid (12-0) at Tramore 2m 6f gd in Apr.
Le Figaro Faoudel (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, disputed 8th after 4th, no impression and not fluent 3 out, one pace, 7th of 16, 13 3/4l behind Master Artist (11-8) at Cork 2m hcp gd in Apr.
Masterstonemason (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 7th 5 out, ridden and no impression approaching straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 19 3/4l behind Princely Conn (12-0) at Clonmel 2m sft in Mar.
Rocket Lad (IRE) 17-2 (12-0) Soon disputed, led after 2nd, joined 3 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 26 1/4l behind The Very Man (12-0) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Zoffalee (FR) 18-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, progress after 5 out, ridden in 6th 4 out, no impression next, soon no extra, 7th of 14, dist behind The Very Man (12-0) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ask Aisling (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 14, dist behind Star Max (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Dedanann (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Waited with, 11th at 5th, closed to chase leaders when fell 3 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp sft in Feb.
Pairc Na Ngael (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Mid-division, no impression from 5 out, weakened, 13th of 14, dist behind Star Max (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Nero Rock (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inner, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out, behind when pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Moonlight Glory (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, 3rd before 7th, almost on terms 3 out where mistake and pecked badly, soon lost place, progress 2 out, no impression on leader in 2nd at last where slight mistake, weakened, 8th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Felicidad (11-9) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Apr.
Galloway Du Lia (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, some progress into moderate 7th from 3 out, soon no impression, 6th when fell 2 out, at Limerick 3m mdn hvy in Mar.