3rd on inner, 4th halfway, lost place after 3 out, 6th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, led after 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 3rd when not fluent last, stayed on well again close home
held up in rear, progress 3 out, 3rd 2 out, soon challenged, close 2nd last, kept on same pace
raced keenly in 4th, 3rd 4 out, 2nd and ridden to challenge before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, eased from last
held up in touch, 8th 3 out, progress into 5th approaching 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders in 6th, dropped to rear 3 out, kept on same pace from next
settled 5th, ridden before 2 out, one pace
led, headed and weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, progress into 6th 3 out, 2nd and challenged when not fluent 2 out, led before last, driven out to assert close home, comfortably
DOCTOR DEEJAY found subsequent Grade 1 winner Pittoni just under two lengths too strong on heavy ground at Punchestown and was by no means disgraced on much faster going in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. Cross Appeal was just over two lengths behind Pittoni in that Leopardstown Grade 1 and a 7lbs penalty for an earlier Grade 3 success gives him something to find. Big Game Hunter has finished behind Pittoni on two occasions but has chances to reverse Leopardstown placings with Cross Appeal on these terms. Paul Nolan saddles both Point Of Light, who looks the type to improve, and the ex-French Politeo, who made a winning debut for the stable in January before finding Grade 2 company too hot here the following month.
Cross Appeal (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, making headway when blundered 2 out, not recover, 12th of 24, 21l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m Juvenile Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 33l behind Alaivan (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo) sft in Feb.
Doctor Deejay (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went left after 2 out, 7th and no impression when blundered last, 10th of 24, 19l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m Juvenile Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Packsapunch (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway in 6th 3f out, ridden and no extra over 2f out, weakened, last of 19, 28l behind Harriers Call (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m ext hcp hvy in Nov (flat).
Point of Light 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, 6th halfway, closer in 4th 3 out, 3rd and challenged approaching last, soon led on run-in and kept on well, won at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Mar beating Fearnwood Girl (10-11) by 2l, 14 ran.
Politeo (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2 out, 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 31l behind Alaivan (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo) sft in Feb.
Shanrod (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 5th, some headway when blundered 2 out, no impression, 13th of 24, 26l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m Juvenile Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Asiya (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up early, progress halfway, 4th 5 out, ridden and briefly outpaced before 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 13, 33l behind Son Amix (11-0) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Fingal Rock (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway in 5th entering straight, ridden into 3rd before last, left 2nd, not reach winner, 2nd of 25, 5l behind Some Slam (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl in Mar.