mid-division, headway into 2nd 5 out, improved to lead 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed narrowly close home
held up in rear, off pace 5th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division early, went 3rd at 3rd, 4th 5 out, ridden and no impression after next
disputed lead, led from halfway, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened from last
disputed lead, headed halfway, ridden from 4 out, moderate 7th 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 3rd at last, stayed on well inside final furlong, led narrowly close home
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up in rear, progress 3 out, ridden in 5th before next, 5th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, reminder halfway, ridden and weakened from 4 out
The veteran Preswell Lad was in tremendous form a year ago with his winning run starting in this race. He won again on the track in June and, though 13lb higher than last year, can't be ruled out. Thepartysover has never won over fences in 17 starts and is still much better treated over hurdles but Corporate Box is slowly getting his act together over fences and was up with the pace for most of the way at Thurles last time while Halls Bridge was still in touch when unseating his rider at the third last here earlier this month. Winning point-to-pointer ARDMILLAN (NAP) has gone up 19lb since scoring at Down Royal in December but continues in fine shape and, with regular pilot Anthony Fox claiming his 7lb, another victory looks on the cards.
Ardmillan (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Towards rear, 7th halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in to go 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Magical Mother (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 2f cond hcp chs.
Thepartysover 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden in 10th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 17l behind Tb Broke Her (10-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-95 in Feb.
Corporate Box (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, led 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, left 2nd, soon no impression on winner, slight mistake last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 17, 5l behind He Rock's (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 in Feb.
Halls Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, 8th when bumped by rival and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Magical Mother (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 2f cond hcp chs, 9 ran.
Preswell Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 7th at 3rd, pushed along 10th, soon in rear and no impression, tailed off, 8th of 10, 43l behind Treacy's Star (9-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) sft in Jan.
Town Pond (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Soon mid-division, 13th after 8th, pushed along 11th, impeded 12th, 10th before straight, no extra from 3 out, eased from between last 2,, 8th of 17, 38l behind Davy From Milan (11-5) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan.
Personal Shopper 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, well behind Oxalido (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
Redclue (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Always behind, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 10, 29l behind Oxalido (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
Bills Official (IRE) 10-1 (12-2) Tr ldrs, rdn in tch 3out, not qckn 2out, ko, 5th of 13, 19l behind Lion's Choice (12-2) at Tyrella 3m ire ptp gf.
