led, slow jump 2nd, joined approaching 2 out, in front again before last, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in
prominent, travelling well in 2nd approaching straight, on terms approaching 2 out, dropped to 3rd and no extra last, kept on same pace run-in
waited with towards rear, ridden into 6th approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
chased leaders, closer 4th 3 out, 3rd approaching 2 out, 2nd at last, challenged run-in, kept on without matching winner
chased leaders, 4th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, mistake 4th, some slight mistakes after, pushed along in 7th 3 out, no extra straight
mistake 1st, soon prominent, 3rd approaching straight, soon no extra
prominent, keen hold, 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
ON THE WAY OUT never quite managed to hit the top flight over timber but may do so over fences judging by his demolition of a decent field in a beginners' chase at Punchestown where he jumped superbly. This is tougher but he looks a natural and can go in again. Bacher Boy defied a couple of errors to score at Downpatrick while Kakagh did well to run Traffic Article close at Sligo. Ordinary Man made a winning start over fences at Tramore and was still in touch when falling in a much better race at Cork a couple of weeks ago. Prince Of Fire has been given a break since running poorly at Roscommon while the very promising River Liane hasn't been seen since a poor effort in November. Knockfierna could be a fly in the ointment, however, as this very progressive hurdler is bred to be a chaser and makes her debut with plenty of allowances.
Bacher Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Settled mid-division early, moderate 5th halfway, 4th and mistake 5 out, 6th 4 out, smooth headway to close 2nd 2 out where mistake, ridden in 2nd last, soon stayed on to lead, asserted run-in, eased closing stages, won at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chase gd in Sep beating Hollyville (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Kakagh (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Raced in 2nd, slight mistake 7th, on terms 4 out, niggled along from next, closed 2nd before straight, kept on run-in without matching winner, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Traffic Article (11-12) at Sligo 2m 4f chs in Sep.
On The Way Out (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly throughout, 4th halfway, headway to challenge entering straight and led 2 out, kept on well, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs beating Stonemaster (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Ordinary Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th approaching 4 out, in touch when fell next, in a race won by De Valira (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs, 8 ran.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear for most, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Campbonnais (10-2) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gd in Jun, 16 ran.
River Liane (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Held up early, progress halfway, 2nd after 6 out, ridden 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra 2 out, last of 5, 27l behind Psycho (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f chs sft in Nov.
Scouting Party (GER) 12-1 (10-9) Fell 1st, in a race won by Burnt Oil Babe (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130, 17 ran.
Lend A Hand Son (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Well off pace towards rear, headway after 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 6th of 13, 18l behind Catch The Moment (10-12) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, moderate 10th halfway, no impression before 5 out and trailing, 5th of 12, well behind Call Box (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs gs.
Knockfierna (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along 3 out, no impression in 8th approaching straight, kept on one pace, 9th of 16, 22l behind Askanna (11-1) at Punchestown 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in May.