soon raced in 4th, on terms briefly 9th, slight mistake next, stumbled after 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
disputed lead, some slight mistakes, pressed before straight, soon headed and weakened, tailed off
mid-division early, pushed along briefly 2nd, 8th at 6th, slight mistake 8th, 9th at 12th, effort and slight mistake 3 out, soon one pace
soon towards rear, pushed along 12th, no danger from 4 out, tailed off
soon tracked leaders, 5th at 6th, closer in 3rd at 12th, closed up after 4 out, on terms before straight, soon led, headed 2 out, no extra from before last
not fluent and reminders 1st, always towards rear, no danger from 4 out, completely tailed off
mid-division early, 6th at 6th, 5th at 12th, closed up after 4 out, prominent on outer before straight, soon on terms, mistake 2 out, soon headed, no extra and one pace from before last
tracked leaders, 5th at 6th, 6th at 12th, effort straight, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in
soon raced in 7th, pushed along to close and effort straight, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
held up, 9th at 6th, 8th at 12th, good headway to lead after 2 out, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
disputed lead, pressed before straight, soon headed, remained prominent and ridden, regained lead closing stages and stayed on well
AUVERGNAT was well supported when landing this a year ago, when Tulsa Jack was beaten a long way. He's 12lb higher but arrives in excellent form having scored over the banks course at Punchestown and can complete a double in the race. Some Neck attracted plenty of attention in the market when tackling only his third start over fences at Punchestown but was struggling when coming to grief and may not have the experience for this. A Sizing Network was in tremendous form in the autumn and was returning from a long absence when a good fourth behind Kemboy at Punchestown so he's on the shortlist along with Sandymount Duke, who was in superb form early last summer and ran an excellent race to finish fifth in the Galway Plate. The latter would be a danger to all if the ground dries out.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Prominent, 3rd from 6th, not fluent 4 out, soon lost place, weakened approaching straight, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Bellshill (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Champagne West (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed 3 out, lost place from before straight, soon no extra, 7th of 18, 30 1/2l behind Patricks Park (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Some Neck (FR) 7-2fav (11-10) Mid-division early, 7th at 6th, pushed along briefly from 10th, slight mistake 13th, not fluent 4 out, moderate 5th approaching straight, bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp sft in Apr.
Tulsa Jack (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division early, not fluent and unseated rider 7th, at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp sft in Apr.
A Sizing Network (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Prominent, soon 2nd, 4th approaching straight, no extra and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 18, 24l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Augustin (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, towards rear and pushed along 8th, no impression from 17th, pulled up 3 out, at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp sft in Apr.
All Hell Let Loose (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Close up, progress to 2nd at 6th, 3rd before 4 out, no impression on leader in 2nd at last, kept on without threatening, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind High Nellie (11-3) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Apr.
Auvergnat (FR) 11-4 (12-7) Mid-division, closer into 5th at 26th, left 3rd 6 out, improved to dispute lead 3 out, headed next, 2nd travelling well before last, ridden to dispute lead at last, led narrowly and briefly inside final furlong, soon joined, stayed on well, led on line, won at Punchestown 4m 1f Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Josies Orders (11-7) by nk, 10 ran.
The Winkler (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th, slight mistake 6th, rear and ridden 4 out, no impression next, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Sumos Novios (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Thanks For Tea (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, soon detached and slight mistake 3rd, never a factor, well behind when pulled up before 5 out, at Clonmel 2m 5f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Icantsay (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Soon disputed lead, headed before 3rd, lost place and not fluent 2 out, soon no extra, 9th of 24, 26 3/4l behind Prince Garyantle (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
