held up in rear, slight mistake 4 out, slight mistake next and ridden, soon no impression, weakened before 2 out
led, slightly slow and disputed 7th, narrow lead and pressed before 2 out, joined and disputed 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along briefly to close after 3 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden to dispute 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in
held up, mainly 4th, bad mistake and unseated rider 4th
chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute from 7th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no extra in 3rd and kept on one pace
RASHAAN has been set some tough tasks since landing a Grade 2 contest here back in November. But he arrives fresh from a win on the Flat at Clonmel last month and Colin Kidd’s charge should go close on these terms. He’s clear of the struggling Marinero at the weights though Fagan has every chance with a repeat of last year’s second at Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett. The latter’s stablemate Stone Hard has plenty to find and the remaining pair face even tougher tasks.
Important Moment (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, slow 3rd, led 5th, headed before 3 out, weakened next, last of 7, 32 1/4l behind Gold Chain (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Marinero (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, soon pulled up, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Rashaan (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along to challenge and led briefly entering straight, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, led inside final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m 1f hcp gf in May beating St Lawrence Gap (8-10) by hd, 11 ran.
Stone Hard (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in 5th, slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 6, dist behind Sandymount Duke (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f gd in May.
Brontide (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th early, inclined to jump slightly left, 3rd approaching straight, no extra and one pace from before last, 5th of 25, 6 1/2l behind Cook Islands (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn gd in May.
Fagan 4-1 (11-12) Held up, moderate 6th halfway, moderate 3rd from 9th, 4th and closer 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan.
