wore hood to post, never closer than mid-division, outpaced and struggling final 4f
mid-division out wide, outpaced and struggling over 4f out
towards rear, behind and struggling 5f out, tailed off
always towards rear
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd over 2f out, stayed on well in closing stages, not reach winner
tracked winner, pushed along entering home straight, edging left and no chance with winner when lost 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced and struggling 4f out
shade keen, made all, set steady pace, quickened and went clear entering home straight, reduced lead and edged right inside final furlong, always doing enough
unseated rider on way to post, raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before home straight, 3rd and one pace inside final 2f, weakened into 4th towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along entering home straight, outpaced over 2f out, no danger after
held up in rear, pushed along in 7th entering home straight, kept on final 2f, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with leading duo
towards rear, plugged on inside final furlong, never on terms
never closer than mid-division on inside, pushed along and struggling towards rear 4f out
raced keenly, held up towards rear, plugged on final 2f, never on terms
NonRunner
Seven of the last nine winners were trained in Ireland. Willie Mullins has saddled the winner 10 times since 1996 and is mob-handed again. It’s not always the stable’s apparent first string which does best but KILCRUIT looked the real deal when sauntering clear in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown, well ahead of both Chemical Energy and Ramillies, and Paul Townend is an able substitute for normal partner Patrick Mullins, who can’t ride due to current restrictions. Rachael Blackmore is on likely danger Sir Gerhard, who is unbeaten but having a first run out of the Mullins stable. Cool Jet could be anything after winning easily at Thurles and a similar comment applies to Navan scorer Three Stripe Life. Elle Est Belle may be the pick of the UK runners and the best of the mares ahead of Grangee.
Chemical Energy (IRE) 7-1 (12-1) Towards rear, headway on outer in 5th approaching straight, 4th and pushed along 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 21l behind Kilcruit (11-13) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Cool Jet (IRE) 7-2 (12-1) Keen, raced in 4th early, closed up travelling smoothly before straight, soon led, asserted over 1f out, pushed out and stayed on well final furlong, won at Thurles 2m hvy in Feb beating Spanish Present (12-1) by 5l, 12 ran.
Creggan White Hare (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb beating Moonlight Beam (11-4) by hd, 14 ran.
Jack's A Legend 18-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, held by winner final 100 yards, lost 2 places close home, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Good Risk At All (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Kilcruit (IRE) 11-10fav (11-13) Mid-division, 5th halfway, smooth headway approaching straight and led under 2f out, soon drew clear, kept on well final furlong, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Letsbeclearaboutit (12-2) by 12l, 10 ran.
Ramillies (IRE) 4-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to dispute lead approaching straight, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no impression in 3rd, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Kilcruit (11-13) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Shearer (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Prominent, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, ran green, clear final 100 yards, stayed on, won at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Dec beating Bowtogreatness (11-0) by 9l, 8 ran.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 4-9fav (11-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight niggle 6f out, improved into close 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, impressive, won at Navan 2m lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Letsbeclearaboutit (12-2) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Three Stripe Life (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Chased leaders, travelling well behind leaders 3f out, progress to dispute 2f out, led 1f out, pushed out and quickly went clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Navan 2m hvy in Jan beating Outlaw Peter (12-0) by 9l, 13 ran.
Wonderwall (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, raced wide after 1st turn, midfield halfway, ridden on outside entering home straight, chased leaders entering final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Knappers Hill (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Elle Est Belle 16-5 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, led over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, joined post, won at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Ishkhara Lady (11-0), 10 ran.
Grangee (FR) 18-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 6th 2 1/2f out, stayed on into 4th 1 1/2f out, closer in 3rd 1f out, disputed final 150 yards, narrow lead last 50 yards, all out, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Party Central (11-7) by nk, 11 ran.
I Like To Move It 10-3 (10-7) Midfield, good headway to go prominent over 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden for effort over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Good Risk At All (11-6) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gs in Feb.
Super Six 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, closed on inside 6f out, challenged 3f out, soon led, clear 1f out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m (5) hvy in Feb beating Prime Pretender (11-3) by 8l, 8 ran.
Fine Casting (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Made all, clear over 1f out, driven out, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m (5) hvy in Jan beating Mumbo Jumbo (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
