soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, closed up to be on terms 3 out, just in front next, narrowly headed between last 2, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
attempted to make all, pressed on at stages with good jumps, slight mistake 5 out, niggled along approaching 3 out where joined, just headed next, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra
settled in behind leaders, slight mistake and niggled along 5th, closed from before 2 out, gained narrow lead between last 2, stayed on well to assert run-in
tracked leader, dropped to last and no extra approaching 2 out, tailed off
Bondage had run well twice at Cheltenham before a disappointing effort in the Coral Cup. That didn't look his true form and he can do much better. TOUCH THE EDEN made a winning debut for Willie Mullins at Thurles and though unable to cope with Grade 2 company there later he ran well enough and this is a drop in class so he's given the nod. Gold Bullet has won a maiden and a handicap in good style but is doubly penalised and faces a stiffer task. Sizing Jo'Burg needed further when runner-up to Midnight Oil at Gowran and this should be to his liking.
Gold Bullet (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Always prominent and disputed, led 3 out, ridden to assert before last, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens30 gd in Apr beating Gates Of Rome (11-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Beachdale Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden from next, 6th 2 out, no extra, 6th of 20, 10l behind Call Rog (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl sft in Mar.
Bondage (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 21st of 28, well behind Medinas (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Sizing Jo'burg (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Difficult at start, led, challenged 3 out, pushed along and headed entering straight, no extra after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Midnight Oil (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) gd in Apr.
Touch The Eden (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Prominent in chasing group, mistake 3rd and slightly slow next, niggled along to close in 2nd approaching straight, no extra from before last where hampered, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 8, 12l behind Bright New Dawn (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Fergiethelegend (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, ridden from next, no impression on leaders entering straight, kept on same pace run-in, 6th of 22, 5l behind Acapulco (11-4) at Punchestown 3m Handicap Hurdle (95-130) (4yo+) hvy in Apr.
