always behind, pushed along in last at 4th, soon ridden and no impression, tailed off straight
tracked leaders early, moderate 4th when slight mistake 4th, soon pushed along, weakened from 4 out, trailing when pulled up before next (post race lame)
tracked leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden from 4 out, moderate 5th when iron broke and rider left without irons before next, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, moderate 6th halfway, progress into 2nd travelling well after 3 out, ridden from next, led before last, strongly pressed at last, headed and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, moderate 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 4 out, soon no impression, dropped to moderate 5th next
tracked leader in 2nd, moderate 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd from 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace
led and soon clear, well clear from 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed next, headed before last. rallied well run-in, regained lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
There's an outstanding roll of honour in this and the standard should be maintained. Willie Mullins complicates matters with a pair of entries though the presence of Ruby Walsh on board County Hurdle runner-up Arctic Fire suggests he may be more forward than Wicklow Brave though both have very smart form and the latter was still in touch when falling in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown won by stablemate Faugheen. The four-year-old Tiger Roll is a brilliant prospect and had Guitar Pete over 5l back in third when landing the Triumph Hurdle. He arrives in winning form having returned there to land a conditions race a fortnight ago. Orgilgo Bay has been in fine form on the Flat and over hurdles though looks just short of this class but King Of The Picts has competed at a high level throughout and is capable of a big run. LITTLE KING ROBIN is improving at a rate of knots and jumped brilliantly to land a Listed event at Punchestown. Providing the ground doesn't turn too soft she can lead them all a merry dance here.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Led, headed 6th, soon 3rd, slight mistake 6 out, improved into 2nd before straight, ridden and disputed before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Clarcam (10-11) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl gd.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Chased winner, closed when not fluent last, driven to challenge flat, led towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs beating Calipto (10-12) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
King of The Picts (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, stayed on approaching last and went 3rd final 100 yards, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Josses Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Arctic Fire (GER) 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth progress to challenge after 2 out and led straight, stretched clear run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m nh nov hdl in May beating Gassin Golf (11-5) by 8l, 13 ran.
Wicklow Brave 16-1 (11-12) Jinked left at start and slowly into stride, held up in rear, in touch in last but plenty to do when fell 2 out, in a race won by Faugheen (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Apr, 8 ran.
Orgilgo Bay (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Led, clear from 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, went clear again travelling well next, ridden entering straight, headed approaching last, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Taglietelle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hdl gf.
Little King Robin (IRE) 4-6fav (10-13) Made all, soon clear, jumped well, reduced lead from before straight but still travelling smoothly, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 2f mrs lst hdl (1) gf beating Melbourne Lady (10-9) by 7l, 10 ran.
