held up in rear, closer in 4th 3 out and slightly hampered, ridden in 3rd next, no extra before last, kept on one pace
pressed leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, no extra in 5th 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened
held up in 4th, mistake 5th, slight mistake 7th, closer in 3rd when jumped right and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 4th when mistake 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace
made all, pressed throughout, slightly right and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, asserted before last, kept on well
settled in 3rd, ridden into 2nd 3 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
This contest generally attracts a good field and has done again so this evening. Barry Geraghty picks Give Me A Break over Dressedtothenines and his mount will appreciate reverting to hurdles after eight losing runs over fences. Casual Approach also ran over fences last time but he looked a promising hurdler on this sort of ground last summer. His stablemate Bright New Dawn is also much better known for his exploits over the bigger obstacles and landed a very tough handicap at Punchestown but he wasn't beaten far on his last run over timber in January and will make a bold bid to continue his winning form. However, yet another chaser, HIDDEN CYCLONE, looks the one to be on here. Shark Hanlon's charge has been competing at a very high level and has a recent Grade 2 to his credit but it's his fourth place in last year's Galway Hurdle that points to his chances here. Val De Ferbet is a smart hurdler though his best form has been on much softer ground than he's likely to encounter here.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, soon 11th, headway 7th, went 2nd travelling smoothly approaching straight, pushed along from 2 out, led after last, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr beating Rock The World (11-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Courtncatcher (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Soon mid-division, no impression from soon after 6th, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Seeyouallincoppers (11-1) at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in May.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th 5 out, ridden next, no impression before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out where left 3rd and slightly hampered, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Dressedtothenines (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along in 10th 3 out, soon no extra and pulled up before next, at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Give Me A Break (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Towards rear, 10th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 6 out, progress after 2 out and ridden to go 4th last, kept on run-in to join 2nd on line, 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind On The Shannon (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Casual Approach (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistakes 8th and 9th where headed, pushed along in 3rd early straight and no extra approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 14 3/4l behind Shaneshill (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 2 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 5th approaching last, stayed on again run-in to 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
