always towards rear, slight mistake 6th, slight mistake and ridden 5 out, soon no extra and pulled up before next
held up towards rear, slight mistake 4th, progress into 4th and slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on run-in without reaching winner
chased leaders, slight mistake 1st and 3rd, towards rear 4th, progress to chase leaders again at 7th, slight mistake 5 out, led before 4 out where slight mistake, slight mistake 3 out, pushed out to assert after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace into 3rd before last
led, disputed from 7th, headed before 4 out, ridden and no extra next, weakened and completely tailed off
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, progress into 3rd 3 out, soon 2nd, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 3rd 2 out, weakened before last
chased leader, disputed from 7th, ridden in 3rd and no extra 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out
Willie Mullins has won five of the last ten including the latest three and Stone Hard looks his best chance of extending the sequence. A winning point-to-pointer and bumper, he made a successful debut over hurdles at Gowran before failing to complete the course in Grade 2 and 1 events won by stablemate Bellshill. LAST ENCOUNTER finished runner-up in the latter of those two races which was by far his best form to date. He looks to be progressing and can take this for Mags Mullins. Arkwrisht looks the outsider of the champion trainer's pair as he was put in his place by Westend Star over this trip at Thurles and Gordon Elliott's charge looks the one most likely to trouble the selection as the unbeaten Dont Tell No One is taking a big leap in class.
Roman Gold (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Settled in 4th, closer in 3rd 3 out, challenged before next, ridden in 3rd entering straight, under pressure in 2nd before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 8 1/2l behind A Great View (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec.
Westend Star (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, challenged next and soon led, asserted before last where not fluent, kept on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Jan beating Arkwrisht (11-5) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
Arkwrisht (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, 2nd halfway, progress to lead after 4 out, pushed along and headed after 2 out, no impression on winner and not fluent last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 7 1/2l behind Westend Star (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Jan.
Dont Tell No One (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead 2 out, soon asserted and 2 lengths clear last, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan beating Sizinguptheamazon (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Last Encounter (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Led, ridden 2 out, soon strongly pressed, headed before last, not fluent at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Stone Hard (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon weakened, last when pulled up after 2 out, at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Side Saddle (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Made all, ridden to assert before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Jodies Miss (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
