always towards rear, never a factor, left moderate 6th after 10th, no impression after 4 out and no threat in straight
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 5th halfway, hampered 10th and left 4th, closer 5 out, pushed along and jumped left 3 out, 3rd 2 out and soon ridden, no impression run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, left moderate 5th after 10th, no impression after 4 out and no threat in straight
led, pecked slightly 5 out and joined briefly next, pushed along 2 out, ridden approaching last where mistake, under pressure and kept on well run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 6 out, disputed lead briefly 4 out, soon pushed along and dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra approaching last, weakened
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, fell 10th
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, left 3rd after 10th, closer 5 out and went 2nd 3 out, challenged next and soon pushed along, ridden and kept on run-in, not reach winner
towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, badly hampered 10th, in rear and pulled up before next
Willie Mullins has won the last four and has six of the nine entries. Flame Bearer is unbeaten in three starts on the track and was impressive in a Thurles Grade 3 last time while Appreciate It had James Du Berlais behind when fourth in the Turners at Cheltenham though lost out close home to MIGHTY POTTER, who didn't get the run of the race and lost a shoe. Gordon Elliott's charge had won two Grade 1 races previously and can bounce back. He had Sir Gerhard 10 lengths behind when landing the Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown a year ago though the former made an impressive debut over fences at Gowran and didn't look right at Cheltenham.
Adamantly Chosen (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Held up in rear on outside, headway 11th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 27 3/4l behind The Real Whacker (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Appreciate It (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 4 out, headway before 2 out, 3rd and hanging left before last, no impression run-in, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Authorized Art (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Led, joined and disputed 4 out, headed entering straight, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 5, 6 1/4l behind Gerri Colombe (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Flame Bearer (IRE) 11-10fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, 2nd halfway, led after 3 out, pushed along and drew clear in straight, kept on well, easily, won at Thurles 2m 2f (1) sft in Mar beating Upping The Anti (11-5) by 13l, 6 ran.
James Du Berlais (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, took keen hold, mistake 1st, closed 4 out, not much room before last, weakened run-in, 6th of 7, 9l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Mighty Potter (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Held up in mid-division, closed 4 out, ridden and outpaced before not fluent 2 out, short of room and switched right before last, hung badly right run-in, kept on, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Not always fluent, held up in rear, headway 4 out, 4th and held 2 out, weakened before last, 9th of 10, dist behind The Real Whacker (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Brides Hill (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Ran 4th, went 3rd after 4 out, headway travelling well in straight and led last, soon asserted and kept on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) gd in Feb beating Telmesomethinggirl (10-9) by 4l, 5 ran.
Flanking Maneuver (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute 2nd 4 out, mistake next, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no impression before last, went right and mistake last, soon no extra, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Journey With Me (11-0) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
