prominent and mistake 1st, led 2nd, joined halfway, slight mistake 3 out and led again next, kept on well run-in and clear final furlong, easily
bumped at start, chased clear leaders in rear, closer 8th, left 5th 3 out and soon no extra, weakened
edged left at start, chased clear leaders, closer 8th, 3rd 2 out and went 2nd early run-in, no impression on winner over 1f out
led, headed 2nd, remained prominent and disputed halfway, headed 2 out and no extra in 3rd early run-in
chased clear leaders, closer in 3rd halfway, 4th and no extra 2 out, weakened
chased clear leaders, closer 8th, 5th when fell 3 out
This is one of the few Festival events to have escaped Willie Mullins but he can put matters right with ALELCHI INOIS. A decent novice hurdler, he's thrived since turning to fences and though his recent victory came over 2m6f his debut success was over the minimum trip. Back To Balloo has had plenty of experience over fences and showed his liking for fast ground at Fairyhouse in May so, if the going doesn't ease, he's expected to go well. Starkie took some time to warm up over the bigger obstacles but battled to victory at Cork in April and there should be more to come though Usa could prove the main threat. He'd been threatening to win a race for some time before doing so at Roscommon where he jumped very well.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Raced in 2nd, improved to challenge before 2 out where not fluent and left in lead, soon ridden and joined before last, kept on best run-in, won at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gd beating Domination (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Prominent, led 2nd, clear 6th, reduced lead 8th but clear again from before 4 out, jumped left next, pressed and joined when jumped left 2 out, soon headed, still close up when mistake last, soon no impression in 3rd, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Art Of Logistics (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs 0-150 in Jun.
Howwoulduno (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, improved 5th, led 6th, joined 8th, headed 3 out, pushed along approaching straight, soon no extra and eased, 5th of 8, 45l behind Aughnacurraveel (11-0) at Limerick 3m chs gf.
Starkie 11-10fav (11-12) Led, headed 2nd, slight mistake 6th, on terms again 3 out, gained narrow lead before 2 out where jumped slightly right, strongly pressed and almost joined last, stayed on well run-in to just prevail, won at Cork 2m beg chs in Apr beating Rafi De Triana (11-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Usa (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) In touch in rear, 3rd after 5th, on terms 4 out, soon close 3rd again, challenged from 2 out, led before last, asserted run-in, comfortably, won at Roscommon 2m chs gd in Jun beating Toostrong (11-2) by 5l, 4 ran.
Brian's Express (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, dropped to rear halfway, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 9, well behind Shield (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f nh nov hdl gd.
