held up towards rear, pecked and unseated rider 4th
settled mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden 2 out, stayed on to dispute last, soon led run-in and kept on strongly closing stages
settled mid-division, 6th halfway, improved to challenge and slight mistake 3 out, disputed before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 5th when slightly hampered last, kept on one pace
led, mistake 3rd and slight mistake 6th, headed and mistake 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before 2 out where bad mistake, pulled up before last
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, lost place 3 out, towards rear entering straight, ridden in 7th 2 out, left 5th last, kept on run-in
held up, towards rear halfway, ridden into 5th entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, stayed on to dispute and every chance when fell last
held up, towards rear halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden to dispute before 2 out, narrow lead before last, joined and disputed last, soon headed run-in, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd closing stages
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, led and slight mistake 3 out, ridden and disputed before 2 out, kept on under pressure, narrowly headed before last where close 4th, left 3rd, kept on run-in to 2nd closing stages, no impression on winner
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression 2 out, slight mistake and hampered last, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins has some good chances today and Ruby Walsh's judgement has to be respected as he picks INVITATION ONLY over two stable companions. His selection lost his unbeaten record when failing to trouble Death Duty in a Navan Grade 2 in December but has been given time to mature and looks a very smart prospect. Stablemate Al Boum Photo won a Thurles maiden hurdle so easily that he can't be dismissed while Any Second Now won at this level at Punchestown before finding the ground too testing when well supported for a follow up at Naas. Runfordave followed his impressive victory at Clonmel with a cracking effort behind stable companion Champagne Classic in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.
Any Second Now (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Held up behind leaders early, closer before 4 out, 3rd 4 out, challenged after next, ridden before 2 out, disputed 2nd 2 out and left disputing lead, soon under pressure in 3rd, kept on same pace from last and pressed 2nd run-in, 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Forge Meadow (10-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 1-3fav (11-4) Made all, pushed out to assert after 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Caro Des Flos (11-4) by 8 1/2l, 18 ran.
Invitation Only (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 7th, pushed along from 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Death Duty (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Le Martalin (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent 2nd, briefly clear from next, hit 5th, joined approaching 2 out, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 16l behind Saturnas (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Livelovelaugh (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 10th of 15, 21 3/4l behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Minella Till Dawn (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-6) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed 4 out and led after next, strongly pressed 2 out and headed approaching last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 8 1/4l behind Bleu Berry (11-6) at Naas 2m lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Runfordave (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) In touch in mid-division, effort before 2 out, challenging for 2nd on home turn, unable to quicken last, stayed on final 100 yards, 3rd of 23, 3 1/2l behind Champagne Classic (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Stand Up And Fight (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, no impression from next, impeded at last where left 4th, one pace, 4th of 6, 17l behind Death Duty (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Wishmoor (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead entering straight, slight mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Mar beating Kaiser Black (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Ben Dundee (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in touch behind leaders, closed up 8th, soon tracked leaders, 2nd before 2 out, no impression and not fluent last, no extra, one pace, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Runfordave (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 2f hvy in Feb.
