not always fluent, chased leader, bad mistake 4 out, pushed along after next, ridden, edged left and no impression before 2 out, 11 lengths down when left in clear lead last
jumped right in rear, mistake 2nd, getting adrift from front pair 3rd, tailed off 10th, left 3rd last
led, jumped big early, reached at 9th, going well 3 out, asserting next, 11 lengths ahead when slipped on landing and fell last, unlucky
chased leaders, getting adrift from front pair 3rd, slow 6th, tailed off 10th, left 2nd last
On what is likely to be perfect jumping ground, the sponsors must be distraught that only four have declared for this Grade 1 with not a single runner from the UK. On paper, it looks a match between BOB OLINGER and Galopin Des Champs with the former preferred given he’s won his last five over hurdles and fences, including the Ballymore at this meeting 12 months ago. The latter is proving a better chaser than hurdler and also won at last year’s Festival so won’t go down without a fight. Willie Mullins’ second string El Barra is preferred to Busselton of the others.
Bob Olinger (IRE) 1-2fav (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer 3 out, challenged next, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led before last, asserted approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan beating Capodanno (11-3) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
El Barra (FR) 1-4fav (11-12) Made all, not fluent 4 out, went on travelling well entering straight, 5 lengths clear 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Soviet Pimpernel (11-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Galopin Des Champs (FR) 4-9fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led narrowly at 6th, headed before 7th, not fluent at 8th, led before 9th, increased advantage 3 out, travelled well before last, asserted run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Feb beating Master McShee (11-10) by 9l, 8 ran.
Busselton (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, detached in rear before 6th, ridden and moderate 4th after 2 out, kept on one pace in straight, never a factor, 4th of 6, 15 1/4l behind Blue Lord (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
