raced in 3rd early, jumped big at 1st and not fluent jumping after, 2nd when mistake 4th, disputed from 7th, ridden and no impression in 3rd approaching 2 out, slow 2 out, ridden and no extra in 4th after last
always towards rear, pushed along and detached from 5 out, no threat after, tailed off
towards rear, ridden and no impression in moderate 4th approaching straight, stayed on to go 3rd after last, kept on one pace
raced in 2nd early, 3rd when mistake at 4th, briefly pushed along in close 3rd entering straight, on terms travelling well 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed at last, led run-in, kept on well under pressure, all out
led, joined 7th, ridden along approaching straight, led narrowly when not fluent last, headed run-in, stayed on under pressure, just failed
Race conditions greatly favour ROBIN DES FORET, who hasn't won since 2018 but was still rated 149 when runner-up to the prolific Peregrine Run in a Grade 3 at Killarney last summer. He'll be conceding 1lb to recent Wexford winner Defi Bleu with Jordan Gainford's claim taken into account but is still 11lb better in with Denise Foster's charge. Line Out was in cracking form when last seen in September, scoring at Ballinrobe than making a winning handicap debut at Punchestown. John Kiely's horses have been in good form and the nine-year-old should get into the frame. The veteran Westerner Point has been superbly placed to win a dozen races and can never be dismissed though latest efforts haven't been up to scratch.
Line Out (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Mid-division, jumped left at 4th and reminder, closer in 5th halfway, pushed along after 5 out, improved into 3rd next, hampered 3 out, soon ridden, disputed 2 out and pecked slightly, soon led, not fluent last and pressed, kept on well under pressure, won at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Sep beating Cooldine Bog (11-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Black Scorpion (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Mid-division early, mistake 9th, towards rear before halfway, weakened 22nd, pulled up before 5 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f sft in Feb.
Judgement Day (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 9l behind French Dynamite (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f Yielding in Mar.
Robin Des Foret (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Tracked leader, raced keenly, on terms 4 out, headed when mistake and stumbled on landing 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 3rd at last, no extra and dropped to 4th post, 4th of 9, 9 3/4l behind The Bosses Oscar (11-8) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Westerner Point (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Waited with, 15th approaching 8th, slight mistake 9th, pushed along after 4 out, soon no extra, 15th of 16, dist behind Atlantic Shore (10-9) at Punchestown 3m hcp sft in Mar.
Defi Bleu (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Disputed until led 10th, pushed along entering straight and pressed approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, asserted final 100 yards, won at Wexford 3m 1f hvy in Mar beating Opposites Attract (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
