led, headed 3rd, remained in 2nd, led again travelling best 2 out, clear before last, stayed on well, comfortably
in touch in rear, 3rd briefly after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake and dropped to 4th 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd approaching 2 out, 2nd before last, kept on same pace
raced wide, led from 3rd, not fluent 7th, ridden and strongly pressed after 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, no extra
This hurdle race seems to be between PRINCE ERIK and Smoking Aces and with the former setting the standard we side with Dermott Weld's charge while Boulavogue looks best of the rest. The pick has improved leaps and bounds since being upped to this kind of trip and duly won the Pertemp's Qualifier at Leopardstown in similar conditions before finding just the one to good in the final of that series at Cheltenham last time; and it's that form that should win him this. Smoking Ace's was sixth behind the pick in that Cheltenham race so has the form to overturn but should be in closer attendance off these terms. Boulavogue looks up against it with results to reverse with both of the leading pretagonists so in what looks a match Prince Erik can be crowned King.
Boulavogue (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 24, 18l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Smoking Aces (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced on outside 2 out, kept on under pressure, no impression, 6th of 24, 10l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Prince Erik 16-1 (10-8) In touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders after next, kept on flat, took 2nd post, no impression, 2nd of 24, 5l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Seeability (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division best, no impression before 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 11th of 25, well behind Quito De La Roque (11-5) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl hvy.
Cheeky (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 4th 3 out, improved to dispute and kept wide before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 3m mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Hughies Grey (11-12) by 9l, 20 ran.
