tracked leaders, closer at 6th, 3rd halfway, 4th at 8th, headway to close at 10th, ridden and no impression on clear leader before 3 out, kept on one pace, tailed off
held up in rear, 3rd at 8th, improved to 2nd at 9th, dropped to 4th at 10th, soon under pressure and ridden, weakened and detached before 4 out, eased and pulled up before 2 out
disputed, led at 3rd, headed at 6th, dropped to 3rd at 9th, reminders after 10th, no impression, kept on one pace in moderate 3rd after 2 out, tailed off
disputed, 2nd at 3rd, led at 6th, travelled well and asserted before 4 out, clear before 3 out, kept on well, very easily
VENETIAN DE MAI represents last year’s winning yard and just missed out at Gowran on his latest start when caught in the final strides - he can go one better today. Winter Magic has won four times over regulation fences and has been in good form between the flags so far this year but My Murphy last won a chase in 2016 and was a long way behind the selection at Gowran earlier. Allannahs Gold won a maiden hunter chase at Fairyhouse in February and a good run from the runner-up Sizingdowntherhine in the previous race would boost confidence so he’s preferred to Bothair Clei and Wilcosdiana.
Venitien De Mai (FR) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in close 3rd 2 out, improved to lead narrowly and briefly at last, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Fenno's Storm (11-4) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hvy in Mar.
My Murphy (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Pr, sl adv 1/2 way, 4th 3out,rdn &qckn 2out,kow str, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Vital Island (11-11) at Lingstown 3m sft in Mar.
Bothair Clei (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Alw rr, 5th & pushed brfly by 3rd, rddn 8th, 5th 5out & lft 4th 3out, to 4th aftr 2out, 3rd bef last, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Sydney Paget (12-2) at Lismore 3m sft in Mar.
Wilcosdiana (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Ld, jnd 5th & hdd when mstk 8th, drpd 3rd bef 4out, wknd 4out & to last of 4 when pu aftr 4out, at Kildorrery 3m Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Winter Magic (IRE) 7-4 (12-2) Mid-div until clsr in 3rd frm 5th, clsr in 2nd bef 4out, no ex in 2nd aftr 4out, sn further adrift, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 25l behind Minella For Value (12-2) at Kildorrery 3m Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Allannahs Gold (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Ld, 2l adv frm 6th, pressed aftr 5out, just hdd when lft in ld 3out, hdd bef last where outjumped & up , no ex, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Sydney Paget (12-2) at Lismore 3m sft in Mar.
