soon raced in 4th, 3rd at 8th, 2nd 4 out, on terms 3 out, soon under pressure, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
tracked leader, led 3rd, inclined to jump slightly left, joined 3 out, soon under pressure, gained narrow lead and stayed on best run-in
in rear, no impression approaching 4 out, moderate 4th from 2 out
led, jumped slightly right 2nd, slow jump 3rd and headed, tracked leader, slightly slow 8th, dropped to 3rd and slightly slow 4 out and under pressure, edged left and no impression from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra
soon raced in 3rd, 4th and slow jump 8th, no impression approaching 4 out, dropped to rear and mistake 2 out, soon eased and pulled up
SALSIFY missed Cheltenham, where he twice won the Foxhunter, and though probably not up to winning at that sort of level nowadays is easily good enough to see off these rivals. It was no disgrace to be beaten by Marasonnien at Gowran and there's nothing of his quality here. Character Actor was a decent handicapper in his day but has only been in moderate form between the flags and Wish Ye Didn't was over 13l behind the selection at Fairyhouse last month. It's difficult to imagine either of the remaining pair getting involved.
Character Actor (IRE) 8-1 (12-1) Ww rr, last bef 8th & 7th bef 4out, prog off pace frm 2out & went 3rd early flat, nvr nrr, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind Truckin All Night (12-1) at Ballyarthur 3m sft in Mar.
Salsify (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) In rear, well off pace early, not fluent 12th, closed up travelling strongly approaching straight, chased winner from before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Marasonnien (11-4) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hvy in Mar.
Galloping Gander (IRE) 7-1 (12-1) Chsd ldrs, ld aftr 5th, 1l adv 4out, chall & hdd bef 2out, wknd in 3rd bef last & 5th flat, 5th of 7, 10l behind Theatre Princess (11-5) at Bandon 3m hvy in Feb.
Victoria Hill (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden 8th, soon no extra and weakened next, pulled up before last, at Thurles 2m 6f mdn Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Wish Ye Didnt (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Soon held up in rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, challenged for 3rd from last, 4th close home, last of 4, 13 1/2l behind Salsify (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Feb.
