rear, slight mistake at 4th, 8th at 8th, weakened and detached after 4 out, never a factor, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, 3rd at 8th, closed in 3rd after 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, led run-in, ridden and kept on best closing stages
towards rear, 6th at 8th, mistake in 5th 3 out, effort before 2 out where badly hampered, no impression on leaders in 4th last, kept on in 3rd closing stages, never nearer
mid-division, 4th at 8th, under pressure at 10th, lost place and weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, 7th at 8th, headway to 4th before 4 out, dropped to 6th and no impression 2 out where slightly hampered, no extra before last
led, reduced lead at 9th, joined before 4 out where headed, pushed along to lead narrowly 2 out where mistake and fell
tracked leader, not fluent at 2nd, closed at 9th, on terms before 4 out where led narrowly, headed 2 out where left in lead, ridden before last where mistake, headed run-in, one paced
rear of mid-division, 5th at 8th, 4th 2 out where left 3rd and badly hampered, no impression, dropped to 4th closing stages
Down The Highway beat a strong field in this a year ago and also beat The Storyteller at Punchestown in February but potential supporters would need to forgive a poor run at Lisronagh last time. Somptueux won an Open at Belharbour but was beaten a long way when odds-on at Lisronagh next time. Dinny Lacey has been competing at a high level this year and might have given Billaway a race but for falling at Naas but David Christie has some very smart hunters in his yard and ULTIMATE OPTIMIST completed a hat-trick between the flags before scoring over regulation fences at Limerick and Down Royal so should complete a six-timer.
Daicheadacuig (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, clsr aftr 3out, ld with 4l adv bef 2out, gng best & 7l adv bef last, held-on late, won at Rathcannon 3m sft in Apr beating Some Are Lucky (12-2) by 3l, 5 ran.
Dinny Lacey (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Chsd ldrs in 3rd, 2nd aftr 4out, 2l 2nd bef 2out, clsr in 1l 2nd well aftr 2out, ev ch bef last, no ex early flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Lord Schnitzel (12-2) at Castlelands 3m Good - Yielding in Mar.
Down The Highway (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Rcd in rr, rdn from 3out & sn no impression, 4th of 5, 21 1/2l behind Le Malin (12-2) at Lisronagh 3m gs in Feb.
Grange Island (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 8th, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 4th before 3 out where not fluent, 5th after 3 out, ridden and no impression in 5th when left 4th at last, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Ferns Lock (12-0) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hvy in Mar.
Russian Diamond (IRE) Evens (11-6) Ww twrds rr, 6th 1/2way, sl prog in 4th aftr 3out, ko to 3rd well bef last, went 2nd flat but no ch with wnr, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Woodbrook Boy (11-6) at Lisronagh 3m sft in Mar.
Somptueux (FR) 8-13 (12-2) Rcd in 3rd, took clsr order from 3out, rdn in 2nd bef nxt, no impr on wnr bef last, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Le Malin (12-2) at Lisronagh 3m gs in Feb.
Ultimate Optimist (IRE) 6-5fav (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped left at 4th and mistake 5th, improved to dispute lead travelling well after 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Mar beating The Flier Begley (11-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Visioman (FR) 2-1 (11-6) Ww in rr, hmprd 4th, 5th 1/2way, prog aftr 4out, 15l 2nd aftr 3out, sn no ch with easy wnr, 15l dwn bef last, ko, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Woodbrook Boy (11-6) at Nenagh 3m Yielding in Feb.
