prominent, 2nd from 3rd, slight mistake next, 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression and one pace
held up in touch, 6th from 3rd, not fluent 3 out, no impression from before next, not fluent last, one pace
held up in touch, 5th from 3rd, went 3rd before straight, 2nd from 2 out, left with every chance from last, kept on without matching winner
led, joined 5th, pushed along after 7th, soon headed and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 3rd, on terms 5th, gained narrow lead after 7th, went on when not fluent last, strongly pressed and kept on well run-in
held up, last from 3rd, pushed along briefly from 6th, no impression after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, 7th from 3rd, closer in 5th before straight, no impression from before 2 out
tracked leaders, some slight mistakes, 4th from 3rd, kept on same pace from before 2 out
A cracking Grade 2 which sees Scarpeta and Duc Des Genievres, fourth and fifth in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, renew hostilities. Blow By Blow won the Martin Pipe at The Festival off a mark of 144 having landed a Grade 3 at Thurles earlier but he was behind Duc Des Genievres and Jetz in a Grade 1 over 2m at Naas in January. It requires a leap of faith to give PALLASATOR the nod in a race like this as he’s already a nine-year-old and has only won a Leopardstown maiden so far. But he certainly has the build of a jumper and was a top-class stayer on the Flat in his younger days, winning at Group 2 and Group 3 level. His current rating over hurdles is probably a stone lower than his potential.
Blow By Blow (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Prominent, led after 2nd, clear briefly after 3 out, went clear again when not fluent last, soon hung right, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Discorama (11-2) by 5l, 23 ran.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, chased leaders when hit 3 out, outpaced in 5th between last 2, ridden and stayed on to dispute beaten 3rd flat, no impression with clear pair, 5th of 14, 9l behind Samcro (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Jetz (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, a little keen, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along to close approaching straight, soon not much room briefly until quickened between horses to lead narrowly at last, kept on well run-in, headed near line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Tower Bridge (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) sft in Feb.
Mount Hanover 2-1 (11-0) A little keen, led, pecked slightly 6th, pushed along from 3 out, soon joined, led again straight, stayed on well from before last, eased close home, won at Thurles 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Didero Vallis (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Pallasator 2-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 4th, headed next, travelling well in 2nd entering straight, led before last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Mar beating Dunvegan (11-11) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
Real Steel (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Held up, always behind, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 20, dist behind Kilbricken Storm (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-8) Prominent and led after 1st, bad mistake 2 out and soon headed, pushed along and no impression on winner approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Hardline (11-12) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Scarpeta (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Disputed lead to 5th, tracked leaders, challenged again 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, stayed on to take narrow 3rd flat until near finish, no impression with clear pair, 4th of 14, 8l behind Samcro (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
