chased leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
led when bad mistake and unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, 2nd and no impression when slight mistake last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and slightly hampered 4 out, left 3rd, ridden into 2nd before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd when fell 4 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, weakened 5 out, tailed off
mid-division, 6th halfway, slightly hampered 4 out, ridden and no impression next, kept on one pace
led 1st, ridden before 2 out, kept on well from before last where slight mistake
always towards rear, no impression from before 3 out
mid-division, dropped towards rear 6 out, no extra and weakened, tailed off
mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th and slightly hampered 4 out, left 5th, ridden before straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor
towards rear, ridden in moderate 8th 3 out, no impression in 7th before 2 out, kept on one pace
It's a very long time since Franchoek was winning top-class juvenile hurdles at Cheltenham and Chepstow but he should be better for a recent run here, his first for almost three years. Mister First reverts to fences after a recent success over timber at Fairyhouse but isn't well handicapped compared to his hurdles rating. Uncle Tom Cobley has only won once from 24 starts over fences and still looks a few pounds high but TAKE A SHOT is well handicapped and can take advantage. A Boxing Day winner at Down Royal, he couldn't quite cope with a 6lb rise in a better race at Punchestown the following month but has won from this sort of mark over hurdles and his rider's claim will be a help. Prince Of Forwards is another at the foot of the handicap with a chance though he's produced his best form on testing ground.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Disputed, led 1st, ridden and challenged entering straight, narrowly headed over 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Competitive Edge (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Fair Dilemma (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden early straight and no extra from 2 out, 5th of 11, 26l behind Rory Anna (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 1f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-123) (4yo+) hvy in Jan.
Mister First (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Towards rear, some headway from 3 out, ridden in moderate 6th entering straight, no impression, 5th of 9, 14l behind Dactik (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Feb.
Zardsky (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on outer, weakened from 5 out, behind when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Wise Oscar (10-8) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-123 sft, 14 ran.
Cloughmile (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra after 2 out, 9th of 14, 23l behind Canaly (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Colls Corner (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leader, close up halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, 7th of 14, 42l behind Competitive Edge (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Shabra Charity (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Colbert Station (10-5) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb, 22 ran.
Quiet Thought (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 4 out but no extra approaching straight, weakened, 7th of 13, 48l behind Lookoutnow (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Hidden Crack 25-1 (11-5) Led early, prominent, lost place from 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 41l behind All The Way Home (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Jan.
Franchoek (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Towards rear, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th approaching straight, no extra, 6th of 9, 34l behind Viaduct Joey (11-0) at Clonmel 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-123 in Feb.
Weslife (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, 9th 3 out, headway into 6th after 2 out, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 27l behind Orpheus Valley (11-3) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Oct.
Take A Shot (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Settled in mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th approaching straight, went 2nd but no real impression on winner last, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Popaflora (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) hvy in Jan.
Prince Of Forwards 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, 4th last, kept on well run-in to 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Clashnabrook (11-1) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Feb.
Urban Gale (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, closer order from before 9th, 5th before 4 out, ridden after next, soon no impression, kept on, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Count Salazar (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec.
