in rear, well off pace early, not fluent 12th, closed up travelling strongly approaching straight, chased winner from before last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, slight mistake 7th, no impression approaching 2 out and not fluent, no extra and not fluent last
chased leader, not fluent 8th, slight mistake 10th, on terms 12th, narrowly headed from 5 out, on terms again briefly approaching straight on outer, no extra approaching last where edged right
led and clear early, reduced lead from 6th, slight mistake 12th and joined, regained lead from 5 out, raced on inner and joined approaching straight, went on from before last, stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, dropped towards rear briefly 10th, closed again 12th, prominent on outer approaching straight, challenged and pecked 3 out, hit 2 out, no extra approaching last where not fluent
towards rear, well off pace early, much closer order approaching 10th, pushed along briefly 11th, no impression in last 3 out, soon no extra
Some top-notch hunters have won this and though not as good as he once was SALSIFY has the class to gain his eleventh victory in similar company. The dual Cheltenham Foxhunter winner showed he is no back number with a comfortable victory over the useful Luska Lad at Fairyhouse last month and can see off recent Cragmore point-to-point winner Blackthorn Prince, whose future is likely to be in cross country events. Carrigeen Acebo has a brilliant record between the flags and though beaten into second by Two Rockers in a hunter chase at Thurles in January the winner is very highly regarded. The once high-class Marasonnien is slowly making his way back after a long absence and ran very well behind Luska Lad on the Punchestown point-to-point track last month.
Salsify (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Held up early and ran freely, 3rd from 1st, improved to lead 6th, disputed briefly 5 out and 4 out, asserted 2 out, clear before last where slightly left, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Feb beating Luska Lad (11-4) by 7l, 4 ran.
Blackthorn Prince 5-4 (11-10) Mostly ld & jw, 2l adv 1/2way, going best from 2out, 7l adv bef last, kow, readily, won at Cragmore 3m mdn hvy in Feb beating Robin De Boss (12-1) by 6l, 9 ran.
Gullivar (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, improved into 2nd before 5th, reminder after 3 out, ridden to press leader entering straight, no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hedgeinator (12-0) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb.
Marasonnien (FR) 7-4 (12-1) Pr, 3rd 1/2way, rdn 2out in 1l 2nd, ev ch appr str, 2l dwn appr last, not match wnr run-in but ko, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Luska Lad (12-1) at Punchestown Pts 3m sft in Feb.
Strangford Lough (IRE) 4-7 (11-10) Ld, 5l adv 1/2way, red adv bef 2out, chall & hdd bef last where 1l down, ko bt nt mtch wnr, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Kilfilum Cross (12-1) at Cragmore 3m mdn hvy in Feb.
Carrigeen Acebo (IRE) 1-5 (11-5) Ld/disp, 2l adv 5out, qcknd clr apr last, alws in command, easily, won at Durrow 3m hvy in Feb beating Rosc Catha (11-5) by 12l, 3 ran.
Celtic Thunder (IRE) 9-4 (12-1) Rcd 4th/5th, clsr 3rd 6out but rr next, hdwy to 3rd bef last, kow to take 2nd in straight, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Anseanachai Cliste (11-10) at Farmaclaffley 3m hvy in Feb.
