held up, 11th after 2nd, no danger from before 5th
chased leaders, a little keen, 5th after 2nd, 3rd before straight, no impression 2 out, one pace
soon mid-division, 10th after 2nd, well off pace from before 5th where slight mistake, not fluent 3 out, some headway but no impression from before straight, kept on
prominent, 3rd after 2nd, led approaching straight, headed 2 out, no impression when slight mistake last, one pace
led, not fluent 5th, headed approaching straight, soon no impression in 4th, one pace
tracked leaders, 4th after 2nd, went 2nd before straight, led 2 out, clear from before last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, easily
chased leaders, 7th after 2nd, no impression and one pace from 3 out
soon mid-division, 9th after 2nd, no danger from before 5th, kept on same pace
towards rear, last after 2nd, no danger from before 5th, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 2nd after 2nd, 5th and no impression straight, one pace
took keen hold, soon mid-division, 8th after 2nd, no impression 3 out
held up, 12th after 2nd, no danger from before 5th
towards rear, 13th after 2nd, no danger from before 5th, kept on same pace
chased leaders, a little keen and some slight mistakes, 6th after 2nd, reminders 3 out, soon no impression
Winning bumper Mike McCann made an encouraging start over timber behind the progressive Pulled Mussel at Cork and should improve while Blue Bicycle's close fourth behind The Tullow Tank at Naas a year ago sets the standard. OUTLANDER completed a hat-trick in bumpers a couple of years ago and started favourite for the championship race at Punchestown where he ran reasonably well. He hasn't been seen subsequently and makes his debut over timber but looks the one to be on. Budtairis also has a long absence to overcome and will need further in time while five-times Flat winner Barack didn't show much in two starts over timber. Winning bumper Oiche Maith attempted to make all at Naas earlier this month and only weakened in the closing stages so he can probably do better.
Barack (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Soon rear of mid-division, never a factor, 18th of 23, well behind Aklan (11-10) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Blue Bicycle (USA) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress to go 2nd briefly after 3 out, not fluent next and no extra in 4th approaching last, 4th of 22, 13l behind Daneking (11-11) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Massini's Brook (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, carried slightly left 1st, close up when slight peck 3 out, soon no extra and eased, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Long House Hall (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn hdl gd in May, 16 ran.
Mike McCann (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led and clear, reducing lead when jumped left 3 out, pressed next, headed before last, rallied to get back on terms run-in, not match winner and one pace closing stages, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Pulled Mussel (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl sft.
Oiche Maith (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, jumped left 1st, joined 2 out where slight mistake, soon headed and no impression, one pace, 4th of 25, 10l behind Free Expression (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft.
Outlander (IRE) 11-4fav (12-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, 3rd and no impression leaders 1 1/2f out, no extra from 1f out, 6th of 11, 9l behind The Liquidator (12-0) at Punchestown 2m NH flat (1) sft in Apr '13.
Ballyfair (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold early, 5th 5 out, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, 7th 3 out, no extra when mistake 2 out, soon eased, 10th of 12, 41l behind Tiger Trek (11-4) at Thurles 2m gd in Oct.
Budtairis (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th approaching 2 out, went 2nd under pressure run-in but no impression on clear winner, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Latin Connection (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn hdl gd in Jul '11.
Dream Chaser Rakti gelding out of Chase A Dream.
Fiddlers Way (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some progress 4 out, pushed along in moderate 7th before next, kept on without threatening from 2 out, 6th of 14, 37l behind Better Back Bob (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl in Oct.
Hootie (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Led and took keen hold early, wandered around approaching 4 out, ridden from next, headed at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Tom's Article (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl gd in Sep.
Tidal Star 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Tight Times (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Oct (flat).
Blazing West (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, some slight mistakes, on terms before straight, headed and no impression from 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 33l behind Morga (10-8) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Apr.
Cinder Rua (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, prominent, not fluent jumping, ridden soon after 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 16, well behind Long House Hall (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn hdl gd in May.
Massini Benz (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression over 4f out, last of 13, 41l behind Big Kern (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f ldy N H flat gd in Jun.
