tracked leader, led after 3rd, pushed along approaching 2 out, under pressure after last, no extra and headed final 100 yards
in rear, closer halfway, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, led briefly 3rd, 2nd halfway, 4th and mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 6th next, weakened
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress after 3 out and went 2nd next, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead final 100 yards
led, headed 3rd, 3rd halfway and slow 6th, pushed along and dropped to rear after 4 out, no extra, kept on one pace in straight
tracked leaders on outer, 6th halfway, progress 3 out, pushed along in 3rd next, no impression in 4th last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to go 2nd at 7th, pushed along after 3 out and 3rd at last, under pressure run-in and no extra final 100 yards
Pointview Gale gained a shock victory in a hunter chase at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day though he'd hinted at ability in a point a couple of weeks earlier. The Shepherd King has been alternating between hurdles and fences but it's a very long time since he won a race. LE GRAND CHENE won here last May and, though that was over 2m7f and this looks on the short side, his overall form gives him the edge and he can gain the eighth victory of his career. Whisky Galore won at Sligo in September but ran poorly later and though Line View shows the occasional sign of ability he's inconsistent and has never won over fences. Personal Shopper has a strike-rate of 1-49 and that victory was over hurdles though she's been narrowly beaten on several occasions and is by no means out of this poor contest but winning point-to-pointer Davyroy has shown nothing under Rules.
Pointview Gale (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer at 9th, ridden after 3 out and led before next, asserted approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Mar beating Goldmineinthesky (11-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders before 4th, led after 5th, headed before 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Roxyfet (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Davyroy (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, 4th 5 out, ridden in 6th 3 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 29l behind Shadow Play (11-8) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp gd in Mar.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 7-2jfav (11-2) Towards rear, progress into mid-division halfway, went 7th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Shadow Play (11-8) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp gd in Mar.
Whisky Galore 40-1 (8-10) Led after 1f and soon clear, 5 lengths lead halfway, pushed along and headed approaching straight, soon no extra and dropped to rear, weakened, last of 14, 32 3/4l behind Temasek Star (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
Line View (IRE) 10-1 (12-3) Close up, soon 2nd, pushed along from 3 out and lost place, soon no extra, weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Head Turner (11-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Feb.
Personal Shopper 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, 4th and fell next, at Down Royal 2m 3f hcp sft in Mar.
