tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway 3 out and led before next, ridden and headed approaching last where mistake, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
always towards rear, in touch 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression in 6th early straight, no extra from 2 out
led, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression in 4th and no extra before last
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, soon lost place and slightly hampered, 5th and pushed along entering straight, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 5th, headway between horses after 3 out and challenged before next, pushed along to lead approaching last, drew clear run-in, kept on well
mid-division on outer, 5th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear after 3 out, soon no extra, weakened
towards rear, headway on inner after 3 out and 4th entering straight, 3rd and pushed along between final 2, no impression and kept on one pace
Jeff Kidder was an 80/1 chance in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham but defied the odds to defeat the well supported Saint Sam, who was conceding a stone. He has an obvious chance in that sort of form though TEAHUPOO has looked a very nice prospect since arriving from France. He may have been a bit fortunate when left clear at the last here in January but there was no fluke when completing a track and trip double in a Grade 3 in February. He has a penalty to carry but further progress can see him remain unbeaten. Busselton was a long way behind Jeff Kidder at Cheltenham but an earlier placed effort behind the very smart Quixilios in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown suggests that run should be ignored. Zoffanien finished eighth in the Cheltenham event and was engaged in the 4.05 at Cork yesterday.
Teahupoo (FR) 4-9fav (11-6) Prominent, on terms before 4th, led after 2 out, asserted and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Tax For Max (11-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Behind The Wall (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in mid-division, 5th from halfway, not fluent 5th, closer in 4th from 3 out, good progress on inner into 2nd after next, ridden to challenge run-in and soon led, kept on well close home, won at Limerick 2m hvy in Mar beating Awkwafina (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Busselton (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened taile doff, 19th of 22, dist behind Jeff Kidder (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Coventry (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent at 2nd, closed in 2nd after 3rd, challenged leader 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and asserted run-in, kept on well, won at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Mar beating Ya Ya Baby (11-2) by 7 1/2l, 12 ran.
Jeff Kidder (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Waited with in mid-division, steady headway and switched right before 2 out, weaved way through between horses approaching the last, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, quickened clear, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Saint Sam (11-8) by 2l, 22 ran.
Nazine (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 3rd, took closer order at 5th, led before 4 out, not fluent 3 out, asserted after 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on well, comfortably, won at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Mar beating Toughari (11-9) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
Scholastic (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along and some headway early straight, 4th and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Thunder Kiss (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Zoffanien (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Raced keenly towards rear, mistake and behind 3rd, headway on inside between last 2, ridden and weakened run-in, 8th of 22, 8 1/4l behind Jeff Kidder (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
