chased leader, 3rd from 2nd, moderate 3rd from 4th, close briefly after 4 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, no extra in 4th last
chased leaders, 2nd from 2nd, moderate 2nd from 4th, slight mistake 7th, closed briefly after 4 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, closer after last, no impression closing stages
made all, clear from 4th, reduced advantage after 4 out, extended advantage again 3 out, mistake 2 out, pecked last and almost unseated rider, recovered and ridden run-in, kept on well closing stages
held up in 4th, ridden 2 out and no impression, moderate 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
always rear, dropped behind from 4th, never a factor, tailed off
GREAT FIELD won the opening race on this card a year ago and made a sparkling debut over fences at Gowran in January when making all under Jody McGarvey. He looks a very nice prospect as does Don't Touch It, under the same ownership and an impressive winner at Thurles, though taking on better class rivals here. Identity Thief won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in 2015 and took his first two races over fences in the style of a very smart recruit. He was expected to give Min a race in a Grade One here on St Stephen's Day but pulled up after making a couple of bad errors. He then fell at the first on a return visit so maybe best watched until showing signs of a revival.
Identity Thief (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Hit 1st and unseated rider, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, slightly slow 2nd, went 3rd from 7th, on terms 2 out travelling smoothly, led between last 2, pushed out to assert run-in and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m sft in Feb beating Dicosimo (11-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
Great Field (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Made all, travelled well when mistake 3 out and left clear, mistake next and slight mistake last, stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan beating Mall Dini (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 13 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Soon raced in 3rd, hit 5th, no impression and one pace 2 out, dropped to 4th and slight mistake last, 4th of 13, 16 1/4l behind American Tom (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Rancher Lass (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear, bad mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hvy in Feb.
Baily Cloud (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Raced in 4th, a little keen, 3rd from 7th, pushed along in 4th before straight, no impression when hit last and unseated rider, at Leopardstown 2m 3f (1) gd in Jan.