tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden from 7th, pulled up injured before 5 out
tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd 2 out, no extra and dropped to 4th after last
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 3 out, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd from last, no extra run-in
mid-division, reminders at 6th and 7th, ridden in 4th 4 out, moderate 5th 2 out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along in 7th 4 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, improved into 2nd at last, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well entering straight, ridden to lead 2 out, strongly pressed when not fluent at last, headed anf no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, mistake 7th, pushed along 4 out, moderate 6th entering straight, no impression
always towards rear, ridden along 5 out, soon no impression, never a factor
always behind, mistake 4th and ridden from next, trailing when pulled up before 3 out
led and clear, some mistakes, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly
mid-division, mistake 6th, ridden in 7th 3 out, no impression
Big Kern has been chasing and hasn't enjoyed the heavy ground but he's won between the flags and landed a bumper on quick going so shouldn't be underestimated. NEVER SAID THAT hasn't had much racing recently and his run here a couple of weeks ago was his first since a very good effort on New Year's Day. He's handed the vote in an open contest though Mr Eko, whose cracking effort at Punchestown in February was followed by a poor run over fences a few days later, should also be noted. Ballyfinboy hasn't won over hurdles for a very long time and is better known as a staying chaser but he arrives here on a very lowly mark and must be considered.
Big Kern (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Soon led, not fluent at 4th, close up 3rd at 6th, 2nd at 8th, mistake at 9th and soon dropped to 4th, last at 10th, detached 4 out, no extra, completely tailed off, last of 5, well behind Val De Ferbet (11-3) at Limerick 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Mar.
Seriatim (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up, under pressure approaching 3 out where slight mistake, soon no danger, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Railway Tommy (11-7) at Down Royal 3m hcp hdl in Mar.
Futuramic (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always behind, slow jumps 1st and 2nd, slight mistake 6th, under pressure 7th, trailing when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Malt Gem (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chase sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Oscar Fiain (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Slightly hampered 1st, always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, jumped badly left 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Kilmurry Kid (11-4) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Never Said That (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra in 6th before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 12l behind Jimmy Two Times (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl sft.
Some Drama (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, jumped right 5th, jumped slightly right 8th, last approaching straight, no extra and eased from after 2 out, 7th of 9, well behind Mine Now (10-9) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Bank Bonus 8-1 (11-7) Led early, headed 1st and chased leader, 4th halfway, 5th 4 out and soon ridden, no extra next, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 22l behind Shadow Play (11-9) at Wexford 3m hcp hdl 80-102 gd.
Gimli's Voyage (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Bonny Kate (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Mr Eko (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, 12th from 4th, under pressure from 4 out, moderate 11th 2 out, soon no impression,, 7th of 16, 31l behind Do Be Doin' (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Feb.
Kennady (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, slight mistakes 5th and 7th, ridden 4 out, no impression in 6th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Coney Choice (11-1) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gd.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and slight mistake 5 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, close 2nd and strongly pressed winner at last, kept on one paced run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind The Mooch (11-0) at Tramore 2m hcp chs 0-109 gd.