keen, tracked leaders, 4th from 4th, bumped with rival 7th, not match leaders and bad mistake 3 out, soon pulled up
waited with, 9th from 4th, headway 4 out, chased leaders and slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace from last
mid-division early, dropped to last from 4th, pushed along from next, no impression from 5 out
soon prominent, 2nd from 4th, not match leaders and bad mistake 3 out, no impression after
led, some slight mistakes, headed into straight, soon no extra
pushed along briefly early, tracked leaders, not always fluent jumping, 5th from 4th, progress to lead into straight, pressed 2 out, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner
slightly impeded start and waited with, 6th from 4th, headway approaching straight and challenged 2 out, slight mistake last, led run-in and stayed on best
slightly impeded start and waited with, 8th from 4th, headway and slightly impeded before 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace from last
waited with, 7th from 4th, headway and effort approaching straight, pulled up quickly before 3 out
prominent, slightly slow at 1st, 3rd from 4th, bumped with rival 7th, jumped left 5 out, lost place approaching 4 out, weakened
The Long Mile, who also has an engagement at Naas tomorrow, is in excellent form though a 9lb rise for last month's victory here makes this much more difficult. Tikkanen Express bounced back to form at Thurles but a 6lb rise puts him on his highest ever mark and he's untested in heavy conditions. Debuchet won a novices' chase in testing ground at Fairyhouse and has been a beaten favourite in three subsequent starts including a similar-class race to this at Leopardstown. The entry here doesn't looks as strong so he should make a bold bid for compensation. Velocity Boy is better known as a stayer so did well to score over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in January while DIAMOND TURF (NAP), who makes his handicap debut after just failing to hold Castle Oliver in a novices' event at Down Royal, had the form boosted when the winner landed a much better race at Naas and can go one better.
Tikkanen Express (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, on terms after 5th, led 7th, joined approaching 3 out, led again 2 out, almost joined last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb beating Kitten Rock (11-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Debuchet (FR) 11-2fav (10-10) Tracked leaders on inner, slight mistake 4th, mid-division and mistake next, dropped to rear of mid-division and slight mistake 6th, soon no impression, 9th of 15, dist behind Eclair De Beaufeu (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Spider Web (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Always behind, trailing and pushed along 3rd, no impression from 4 out, pulled up after 2 out, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Triplicate (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear on outer, mistake 4th, some headway approaching straight and 8th 3 out, no impression after next and moderate 5th last, no extra, 5th of 15, 28 1/2l behind Spyglass Hill (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
Velocity Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, 2nd halfway, headway to lead 5 out, pushed along and headed 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 8, 16l behind Valdieu (11-6) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Diamond Turf (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Chased leader, close up and disputed from 4th, ridden before 2 out, led after 2 out, pressed from last, joined and disputed run-in, headed and held close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Castle Oliver (11-0) at Down Royal 2m sft in Jan.
The Long Mile 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and some headway in 3rd 3 out, progress to challenge at last and soon led, kept on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Feb beating Conright Boy (10-13) by 2l, 9 ran.
Allardyce 16-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, mistake 6th, no impression from 3 out, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, pushed along 3 out, soon ridden and no impression next, no extra, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind The Long Mile (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Feb.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Led, slow at 1st and jumped left throughout, jumped badly left at 5th, headed next, weakened quickly, continued trailing, last of 10, dist behind Effernock Lad (10-5) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
