prominent, lost place 6f out, soon struggling
chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on
mid-division, headway 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, soon no impression
mid-division, slightly hampered on inside 7f out, weakened 6f out, tailed off when virtually pulled up inside final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, some headway over 3f out, no further progress
held up in touch, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, all out
mid-division, good headway 4f out, disputed 2nd from over 2f out, soon ridden, not quicken well inside final furlong
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, pushed along 5f out, headway on outside well over 3f out, one pace final furlong
held up in touch, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, lost place after 4f out, well behind over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden from 2f out, hung left 1f out, one pace
chased leaders until ridden, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, no progress final 3f
mid-division, headway after 2f, pushed along from 6f out, one pace final 2f
held up towards rear, tried to edge left and headway over 3f out, switched left just inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, headway 2f out, never near leaders
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up in touch, went 2nd just inside final 3f, ridden 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on strongly towards finish
pushed along, carried head high over 3f out, always in rear
It is no surprise that Willie Mullins is the trainer of our selection as he has landed this contest five times in the last ten years. Ruby Walsh rode Missed That to victory twelve months ago and he has been booked for Equus Maximus, however we will side with Ballytrim, with Wichita Lineman and Kicks For Free put forward as the best of the home contingent. Ballytrim has been continually backed for this event following an impressive victory at Thurles last month. The trainer rates him very highly and expects him to make the grade as a top chaser in a couple of years. Mullins said that Equus Maximus has the best form on show having beaten two very good types at Leopardstown. In fact the well beaten third Tex Morgan was successful last Saturday and so he must be a danger to all. Wichita Lineman is very highly regarded by trainer Jonjo O'Neill and has been impressive in his two victories, he could be worth each-way support. Meanwhile the Paul Nicholls trained Kicks For Free hasn't been out of a canter during his two victorious runs and he could be absolutely anything. All in all a very competitive affair, but Mullins is the master and Ballytrim can give him his sixth victory.
Albertas Run (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan beating Jobsworth (11-5) by a hd, 7 ran.
Ballytrim (IRE) 9-10fav (11-6) Made all, clear early, reduced lead after 4f, went clear again from before straight, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Thurles 2m 2f nhf gs in Feb beating Corbetstown Duck (11-2) by 25l, 18 ran.
Dancing Hero (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Close 3rd, improved to challenge over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden straight, stayed on well to draw clear final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m nhf sft in Dec beating Handfull Of Euros (11-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Equus Maximus (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Made virtually all, strongly pressed early straight, stayed on strongly from 1 1/2f out, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m nhf gs in Jan beating Lord Lumey (11-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
First Author (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, improved into 6th after halfway, close 3rd 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m nhf sft in Dec beating Coolgreaney (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
Flowonlovelyriver (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Led, headed briefly approaching halfway, strongly pressed early straight, stayed on strongly from over 2f out, easily, won at Navan 2m nhf sft in Feb beating Tango Jim (10-9) by 25l, 8 ran.
Freds Benefit (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Soon led, strongly pressed 3f out, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m nhf hvy in Feb beating Your Right Now (11-11) by 15l, 18 ran.
Hairy Molly (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improved into close 3rd 5f out, led entering straight, ridden clear 2f out, easily, won at Naas 2m 3f nhf hvy in Feb beating Aka Jake (11-7) by 13l, 9 ran.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 2-9fav (11-6) Held up, good headway 4f out, led 1f out, impressive, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb beating Stripe Me Blue (10-5) by 2l, 15 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 6f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (A) gs in Nov beating Tokala (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.
Lord Over 8-1 (11-3) Prominent, dropped to 5th and ridden straight, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, every chance close home, no extra near finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Leading Run (11-7) at Naas 2m nhf gs in Feb.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) In touch, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan beating Arctic Ghost (11-0) by 3l, 14 ran.
Nightfly (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan beating Mr Shambles (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Pangbourne (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Made all, joined over 3f out, ridden clear final 2f, unchallenged, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Feb beating Fredensborg (11-4) by 20l, 13 ran.
Spartacus Bay (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Roll Along (11-12) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Jan.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Held up, came to stand's side entering straight, headway to lead well over 2f out, soon driven along, ran on well final furlong, won at Newbury 2m nhf (6) gf beating Kimi (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Wind Instrument (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, held on towards finish, won at Wetherby 1m 6f nhf (5) hvy in Jan beating Old Benny (11-5) by 1l, 12 ran.
Female (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 5f out, led 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Navan 2m mrs nhf sft in Dec beating Haydens First (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 20 ran.
Burnt Oak (UAE) 4-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, driven 4f out, headway and switched left to inside 3f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, driven clear, won at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) gs in Jan beating Belita (10-9) by 7l, 16 ran.
Dark Corner 15-8fav (10-0) Keen and prominent, ridden and outpaced 5f out, rallied to lead 3f out, wandered under pressure 2f out, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan beating Captain Marlon (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Perce Rock 7-1 (11-7) Held up early, progress halfway, 3rd 4f out, challenged entering straight, led 2f out, soon drew clear, stayed on strongly, won at Leopardstown 2m nhf hvy in Jan beating Romalco (11-0) by a distance, 15 ran.
Pressgang 9-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear, won at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gs in Jan beating Crofters Lad (11-0) by 5l, 17 ran.
Shady Willow (IRE) 9-10fav (11-2) Made all, clear entering straight, driven out and stayed on strongly, easily, won at Punchestown 2m nhf gs in Feb beating Harbour Breeze (11-0) by 7l, 18 ran.
Sword of Damascus (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Held up, headway half way, went 2nd over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Top Ram (11-4) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
