raced in 2nd, inclined to jump left, slight mistake 6th, challenged after 3 out and soon led and pushed along, strongly pressed and stayed on best run-in
raced in 3rd, ridden in 2nd from 2 out, challenged and every chance run-in
led, pressed after 3 out and soon headed, dropped to 3rd 2 out and mistake, no impression after, joined for moderate 3rd before last, one pace and just prevailed for 3rd
in rear, not fluent 1st and 2nd, not fluent 3 out and soon pushed along, mistake 2 out, no impression after, disputed moderate 3rd before last
MONBEG NOTORIOUS is penalised for winning a novice hurdle at Navan last month but further progress is expected from Gordon Elliott’s charge as he won a maiden on fast ground earlier. Stable companion Ballela Boy was placed on a couple of occasions before finding life tough in a handicap at Fairyhouse and the third Gigginstown runner, Bel Ami De Sivola, has struggled in Grade 1 company since notching a hat-trick in bumper and hurdle races at the end of last year. Tramore winner Ned's Island and Sir Issac look up against it on these terms.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, almost on terms 3 out, 2nd before straight, soon ridden to challenge, slight mistake 2 out, no extra from before last, 11th of 17, 16 3/4l behind Showem Silver (10-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 25-1 (10-2) Soon mid-division, 12th approaching 4th, went 6th approaching straight, no impression from before last, 8th of 24, 9 1/2l behind Open Eagle (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ned's Island (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, 2nd after 2nd, 3rd after 3 out, headway to be almost on terms 2 out, soon ridden to lead narrowly, strongly pressed at last, driven out, won at Tramore 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr beating King Blue (10-13) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sir Issac (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, 10th from 3rd, closer in 5th approaching straight, slight mistake 3 out, soon moderate 6th and no impression, 7th of 20, 25 1/2l behind Jimmy Breekie (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Apr.
Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Made all, ridden 3 out, pressed before 2 out, kept on well under pressure from before last, won at Navan 2m 6f hvy in Mar beating Augustin (11-4) by 5 1/2l, 4 ran.