always towards rear, no impression from 6 out, poor 9th 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 6 out, ridden in 5th before straight, stayed on into 3rd 2 out, kept on to 2nd run-in, no impression winner
always towards rear, no impression from 6 out, tailed off
disputed early and prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 7 out, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
soon led and disputed, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace, lost 2nd run-in
soon disputed, 2nd halfway, 5th 6 out, ridden in 6th next, no extra before straight
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, no impression from 6 out, kept on one pace straight
always towards rear, trailing before 7 out, badly left 4 out, completely tailed off
rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, closer in 7th 6 out, pushed along in 6th 4 out, 4th before straight, ridden into 3rd 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
disputed early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 5 out, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden and kept on well run-in
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no impression
There's no denying that TOOSTRONG has been disappointing since making a winning start over hurdles but he's just the type Willie Mullins excels with and, with much better expected over fences, he's given the vote to get off the mark. Mick Hourigan tries Best Served Cold, who has looked anything but happy over fences so far, in blinkers and he has enough ability if they bring about improvement and though the mare Gerdalia has gone 10 starts over fences without winning she may do better on this quicker ground. Johannisberger would be a certainty on his earlier form behind high-class opposition but he ran very poorly last time after finishing distressed on his previous run and is best watched for now.
Cherryantor (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 37l behind Happy New Year (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Dec.
Chino Valdes (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Settled behind leaders, 4th from 4th, pushed along into 3rd before 4 out, no impression entering straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Lord Ben (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase gd.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, behind 6th, hit next, pulled up after, in a race won by The New One (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Dr Linzi (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Waited with, 7th 5 out, mistake 4 out, 6th and kept on same pace from next, 7th of 10, 50l behind Dont Back Down (11-9) at Cork 2m 4f Amateur Beginners Chase (5yo+).
Illicit Encounter (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led or disputed lead, advantage before 5 out, headed 3 out and dropped to 4th when mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Seriatim (11-12) at Down Royal 3m beg chase sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Johannisberger (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, soon lost place, under pressure from 5 out, weakened, last of 10, well behind Hidden Future (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Mar.
Kilavalley (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Fell 1st, in a race won by A Fine Young Man (11-9) at Cork 2m beg chs in Mar, 13 ran.
Raggletagglegypsy (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Never better than mid-division, no impression from 5 out, 10th of 16, well behind Novarov (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Mar.
Robyn Rua (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 4 out, 6th of 9, 44l behind Lord Ben (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase gd.
Slew Charm (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, 8th 4 out, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, moderate 4th at last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Hidden Future (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Mar.
Toostrong (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, a bit slow 5th, fell 6 out, in a race won by A Fine Young Man (11-9) at Cork 2m beg chs in Mar, 13 ran.
Gerdalia (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Soon raced in 4th, a little bit slow 5th, 3rd before straight, soon challenged in 2nd, not match winner from before last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Castle Genie (11-7) at Clonmel 2m mrs beg chs in Mar.
Best Served Cold 6-1 (11-4) In rear, weakened 8th, pulled up before 7 out, in a race won by Sword Fish (9-11) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135, 16 ran.
Jupitor (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching 4 out, dropped to 6th and no impression from before straight, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 27l behind Caheronaun (11-5) at Thurles 3m beg chase sft in Feb.
