led and disputed, led halfway, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in, easily
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer before 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders early, dropped off leaders and moderate 6th halfway, mistake and unseated rider 4 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
prominent and disputed early, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, behind before 4 out
mid-division, no impression before 4 out, never a danger
held up, moderate 7th 3 out, no impression
towards rear, bad mistake 2nd, never a factor, slight mistake 3 out, weakened and tailed off
mid-division best, no impression before 4 out, weakened
held up in mid-division, bad mistake 2nd, moderate 6th 3 out, no impression
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division early, chased leaders after 2nd, 4th when fell 4th
chased leaders, mistake 1st, 4th halfway, slight mistake 6th, slow 4 out and soon ridden, no impression next, no extra entering straight
El Barra won a maiden hurdle here in April and followed up at Punchestown three weeks later so he looks a very smart recruit to chasing. His stable companion BLUE LORD ran in four Grade 1 novice hurdles at the beginning of the year and was placed in three of them. Paul Townend returns after injury for the ride and his mount can make a successful start before going on to better things. Cayd Boy was also a useful hurdler and has had a run over fences which should stand him in good stead. He'll have learnt plenty from Wexford and should get into contention while testing conditions would be to the liking of Atlantic Fairy, a Listed winner over timber at Navan in February.
Blue Lord (FR) 15-8 (12-0) Led, not fluent 3 out, pushed along early straight and headed before last, ridden and no impression run-in, dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Echoes In Rain (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Cayd Boy (FR) 6-4 (12-0) Tracked leader, 3rd to clear leader before 3rd, took closer order in 2nd 4 out, closed before last, every chance run-in, kept on, held, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Take All (12-0) at Wexford 2m hvy in Oct.
Dark Spark (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prominent and led from 2nd, pecked badly 4th and joined, led or disputed lead until headed 2 out, ridden and dropped to 4th early straight, no impression and jumped left last, no extra, 4th of 8, 21 1/2l behind Ciel De Neige (12-0) at Thurles 2m 2f gd in Nov.
El Barra (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Disputed lead early, led from 2nd and made rest, ridden clear before last, reduced advantage inside final furlong, kept on close home, all out, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr beating Get My Drift (12-0) by hd, 15 ran.
Everglow 12-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, ridden in 7th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 18, 18l behind Farouk D'Alene (12-0) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
Fantastic Allen (FR) 250-1 (12-0) Always rear, never a factor, no threat from 5 out, blundered last, 11th of 13, dist behind French Dynamite (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
History Of Fashion (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 1st, ridden into 11th after 2 out, under pressure in 6th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 8l behind Suprise Package (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 5f Yielding in Apr.
Quantum Realm (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division for most, jumped right 4 out, soon no extra, 11th of 15, dist behind Ferny Hollow (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Top Line Tommy (IRE) 80-1 (12-0) Towards rear, some headway into 5th before halfway and closer at 7th, no impression 3 out and no threat in straight, 5th of 8, 22 3/4l behind Ciel De Neige (12-0) at Thurles 2m 2f gd in Nov.
A Cheap Thrill (IRE) 200-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, slightly hampered at 3rd, some progress 2 out, ridden at last, kept on without threatening, never a factor, 8th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Gringo D'aubrelle (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Hardy Bloke (FR) 80-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division on inner, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 18, dist behind Farouk D'Alene (12-0) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
Mica Malpic (FR) 150-1 (11-8) Held up, fell 5th, at Punchestown 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Atlantic Fairy (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-9) Led, raced keenly, not fluent 4th, strongly pressed entering straight and joined 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra from before last, 6th of 12, 25l behind Skyace (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Razzle Dazzle Love (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent at 1st, increased advantage after 2nd, reduced lead at 4th where jumped left, jumped left at 8th, headed before 2 out, dropped to 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace to 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Global Equity (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Know The Game (IRE) 300-1 (12-0) In rear, 17th after 6th, no impression, never a factor, 15th of 18, dist behind Bob Olinger (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f sft in Nov.
