led, headed 3rd and raced in 2nd, not fluent 5th, no extra straight
soon raced in 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, weakened from before next
raced out wide, chased leaders, effort straight, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
waited with, 5th after 4th, no impression in rear from 4 out, one pace
waited with, last after 4th, pushed along from 4 out, some headway to chase leaders and slight mistake 3 out, one pace
soon raced in 2nd, led 3rd, still travelling smoothly straight, pressed and hit last, kept on well run-in, headed close home
Dr Mikey won this last year but has done better over fences subsequently. LAC KIVU, a winner on the Flat in France, made a very impressive start for Willie Mullins in a Punchestown maiden in May 2017 but hasn't been seen since running poorly at Galway that year. He's still only six and can start making up for lost time. His stable companion Whiskey Sour was a fortunate winner of a Leopardstown Grade 1 in December 2017 and, though he hasn't won since, he's been competing at a much higher level and has to be a threat. Campeador had a spell over fences before reverting to hurdles in the Ladbrokes at Leopardstown in February where he never got into contention. Neither Tigris River nor Swamp Fox can be dismissed in an interesting contest.
Dr Mikey (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) 2nd of 5, 2l behind Landofhopeandglory (11-2) at Cork 2m sft in Mar.
Campeador (FR) 25-1 (11-10) 14th of 19, 11 3/4l behind Off You Go (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Lac Kivu (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) 4th of 6, 33l behind Oakly (11-6) at Galway 2m 5f Yielding in Aug.
Swamp Fox (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) 16th of 24, dist behind Meri Devie (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Tigris River (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) 9th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Dallas Des Pictons (10-12) at Leopardstown 3m hcp gd in Feb.
Whiskey Sour (IRE) 5-1fav (11-3) 4th of 24, 6 1/4l behind Ch'tibello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
