chased leaders, 7th early, one pace from after 2 out
not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, 6th early, slight mistake 3 out, no extra from next
soon mid-division, 12th early, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 3 out where not fluent, soon no impression
soon towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next
soon mid-division, one pace from before 2 out
soon led, slight mistake 3 out, pressed next, soon headed and no impression, one pace
soon mid-division, 13th early, never a factor, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 11th early, one pace from after 2 out
tracked leaders, 5th early, prominent when slight mistake 3 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, 8th early, improved to challenge from 2 out, soon led and clear, stayed on well, easily
soon mid-division, 14th early, one pace from before 2 out
tracked leaders, 3rd early, no extra from before 2 out
held up, soon towards rear, one pace from before 2 out
held up, soon towards rear, one pace from before 2 out
held up, towards rear early, no impression and one pace from before 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th early, no extra from before 2 out
led early, prominent, a little slow 5th, no extra from before 2 out
soon towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off
chased leaders, no extra from before 2 out
Gordon Elliott has been unable to conjure up a victory for Fort Smith over hurdles though he does have a bumper success to his credit. He's been beaten so many times when strongly fancied that it's very difficult to be positive about him, despite him having the best form. Winning bumper and point-to-pointer Baby Bach ran well for a long way on his hurdling debut at Ayr so should be suited by this shorter trip but Tony Martin could hold the key to this with Delvin Road and VOICES OF SPRING among his entries. The former is consistent and may not have been suited by heavy ground at Thurles last time but it's the latter, who wasn't far behind Fort Smith at Leopardstown last time on just his second start over hurdles, who looks the one to be on.
Baby Bach (IRE) 85-40fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, lost 3rd place close home, 4th of 12, 13l behind Mossies Well (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Fort Smith (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, 9th early, headway 4th to soon chase leaders, 6th approaching 2 out, 7th before straight, pushed along in 3rd at last, one pace run-in,, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Heck Thomas (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Mallory Heights (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 1st, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 16th of 25, well behind Rathpatrick (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Our Sox (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened next, eased run-in and tailed off, last of 9, well behind Blair Perrone (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Perseid (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led, joined 3rd and headed before 5th, no extra and dropped to rear approaching 2 out, weakened, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Akorakor (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl.
Round Tower (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Prominent, 2nd after 3rd, moderate 4th after 4 out, no extra into straight, pulled up approaching 3 out,, in a race won by Rogue Trader (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Arctic Wolf 4-1 (11-9) Led after 2f, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no extra, 6th of 11, 24l behind All Hell Let Loose (11-9) at Thurles 2m NH flat hvy in Mar '14.
Areema (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 8th halfway, left 4th approaching 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 8l behind Akorakor (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl.
Cecil Corbett 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 6f out, soon no extra and weakened, trailing before straight, completely tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Russian Bill (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f NH flat hvy in Dec.
Delvin Road (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up, 13th from 4th, improved to almost get on terms 2 out where slightly impeded, no impression in 4th and hit last, one pace,, 4th of 18, 5l behind Totally Dominant (11-12) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Dublin Street (IRE) Let The Lion Roar gelding out of Eillen Russel.
Dusty's Turn (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Alw in rr, pu 3out, in a race won by Gonal (11-6) at Farmaclaffley 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb, 15 ran.
Last Move (IRE) Goldmark gelding out of Denys Daughter.
Maz Majecc (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Mossies Well (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Theatre One (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ran freely, 6th halfway, pushed along 4f out and soon no extra, weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Alberta (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 2f NH flat.
Voices Of Spring (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, last early, 8th approaching 2 out, 6th before straight, soon pushed along and switched right, moderate 5th at last, one pace,, 5th of 10, 8l behind Heck Thomas (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Whistlebear Duke (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, weakened from 4 out, completely tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Rathpatrick (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Jan, 25 ran.
Patsy Fox (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Pr when brought down 1st, in a race won by Take It Too (12-2) at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Columbanus (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Led, headed 5f out, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 7l behind Temasek Star (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Nov (flat).
Highly Excited (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, moderate 14th early, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, no danger approaching straight, 15th of 18, well behind Phil's Magic (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Aurora's Dream (IRE) Kutub mare out of Another Pet.
Dollar And A Dream (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up, 16th after 2nd, not fluent 3 out, moderate 15th before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 13th of 18, 14l behind Lilshane (10-2) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Feb.