led, increased lead after 7th, reduced advantage before 2 out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on best closing stages, held on
towards rear, 9th before 7th, no impression after last, weakened, never a factor
tracked leader, 2nd before 7th, closed before 2 out, strongly challenged leader inside final furlong, kept on, held in 3rd
rear, 8th before 7th, progress to 6th before 2 out, under pressure in 5th after last, one paced final furlong
tracked leader, 3rd before 7th, every chance after last, strongly challenged leader inside final furlong, kept on, just held in 2nd
mid-division, took closer order at 6th, 4th before 7th, lost place before last where mistake, weakened run-in
rear of mid-division, 6th before 7th, progress after 8th, 5th before 2 out, improved to 4th after last, lost place and weakened over 1f out
in touch, not fluent at 1st, lost place at 6th, 7th before 7th, under pressure in 6th after last, kept on over 1f out, no impression on principals
towards rear, progress to 5th before 7th, headway before 8th, lost place before 2 out, one paced over 1f out
An interesting race with Clifton Warrior likely to be suited by this slight step-up in trip after two narrow defeats over fences when well supported. THE BIG CHAP is penalised for a shock win on just his second start over fences at Fairyhouse but there was no fluke about the victory and he can go in again. Battle It Out progressed nicely over hurdles and has a chaser's pedigree while Hands Of Gold completed a double over hurdles at the beginning of the year. Naas maiden hurdles winner Spillane's Tower looks a fine recruit to the bigger obstacles while Snake Oil started favourite for this race a year ago but didn't jump well and improvement is expected.
The Big Chap (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Prominent, closed in 2nd at 4th, 3rd before 6th, dropped to 5th after 3 out, headway and closed 2 out, challenged leader last, led closing stages, driven out, won at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Oct beating My Mate Mozzie (11-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Battle It Out (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, 2nd halfway, challenged before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well run-in to assert, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn hvy in Mar beating Knockraha Lass (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Clifton Warrior 5-4fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on into 2nd before last, kept on to press winner run-in, held close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind The Banger Doyle (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 1f Yielding in Apr.
Hands Of Gold (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, bad mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace from before last, 7th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Carnfunnock (10-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Mar.
Hartur D'arc (FR) 18-5 (11-3) Close up and disputed early, slight mistake 1st, soon 3rd, slight mistakes 2nd and 3rd, dropped to 4th after 3rd, slight mistake 8th, ridden entering straight, challenged on outer and slight mistake 3 out, under pressure in 4th next, no impression in 3rd last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Solitary Man (11-9) at Killarney 2m 7f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Pour Pavore (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Rear, mistake at 1st, slight mistake at 2nd, moderate 14th before 7th, effort before 2 out, modest progress after 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 14, dist behind Get My Drift (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f Yielding in May.
Snake Oil (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 3rd 2 out, hampered last and soon pushed along in 5th, 4th and ridden entering straight, no extra final furlong, 4th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Barnacullia (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Spillane's Tower (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 5th halfway, headway entering straight and pushed along to challenge at last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Monbeg Park (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Steppenwolf (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Held up, soon well off pace, moderate 5th when fell at 5th, at Galway 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
