disputed lead early, soon tracked leaders, jumped big 9th, led 3 out, stayed on well run-in
waited with, soon in touch towards rear, closed approaching 3 out where slight mistake, soon effort, kept on same pace run-in
disputed lead early, soon chased leaders, slight mistake 9th, closed approaching 3 out, soon effort in 2nd, jumped right last, kept on same pace run-in
a little keen, prominent, on terms approaching 2nd, soon led, joined before 5th, soon headed, prominent, no extra from 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, soon 2nd, on terms before 5th, soon led, headed 3 out, soon no impression, not fluent and no extra last
A real thriller in prospect between Samcro and EASY GAME with a fine supporting cast. The former returned last season with an easy victory here and hopes were high of an unbeaten campaign but he fell at Fairyhouse and was well beaten by Faugheen at Limerick before redeeming himself when beating Melon in the Golden Miller at Cheltenham. EASY GAME gets 2lb and has a fitness advantage having beaten The Storyteller in a Gowran Grade 2 earlier in the month. His close second to Faugheen at Leopardstown in February just about gives him the edge. Battleoverdoyen was beaten when falling at the last in that latter event but is a dual Grade 1 winner while Sizing Pottsie easily landed a Grade 3 novice chase at Navan in March and has much more to offer.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway from 10th, every chance 3 out, 4th and outpaced before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 24l behind Champ (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Samcro (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, joined leader going well 3 out, mistake and shaken up after next, ridden to lead narrowly after last, stayed on well under pressure flat, joined near finish, just prevailed on nod, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar beating Melon (11-4) by ns, 12 ran.
Easy Game (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Made all, clear at stages, jumped well for much, slight mistake 4 out, still travelling smoothly straight, mistake 2 out and pushed along, stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct beating The Storyteller (11-5) by 7l, 5 ran.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Led, mistake 7th and slight mistake next, pushed along and joined when fell 2 out, at Thurles 2m 2f (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Yaha Fizz (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Soon led, headed after 4f, remained prominent until 5f out, pushed along and lost place entering straight, soon weakened, eased, completely tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Ilmig (9-7) at Navan 1m 6f mdn sft in Oct.
