chased leader, improved to dispute before 4th, led after 4th, ridden and asserted approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, eased close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
held up, 8th halfway, slilght mistake 5 out, towards rear and mistake 3 out, soon no extra, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2 out, no impression before straight
settled mid-division, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, stayed on into 3rd before last, kept on into 2nd run-in, no impression on winner
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd and no impression on leaders 2 out, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on same pace run-in into 3rd closing stages
held up towards rear, ridden and some progress into 6th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd and reminders, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace from before last
led, disputed before 4th where pecked, headed after 4th, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on leader before last, dropped to 4th run-in
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th at 8th, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra entering straight
Few of these arrive in form for what is a nice prize but THE GATECHECKER (NAP) is an exception. Mick Hourigan's charge went up 8lb for scoring at Naas but made a bold bid to follow up at Gowran where a last-fence blunder may have cost him the race. He's up another 4lb but looks progressive and can get back on track. Dallas Cowboy has shown improved form in his last two starts and though beaten off lower marks his young rider's claim puts him in here with a fair weight. Damut, who completed a four-timer over hurdles in 2015, ran his best race to date over fences in a Grade A handicap on this course last time and a repeat would definitely put him in the picture. Bearly Legal, the only course and distance winner in the line-up, is always to be feared around here and is only 3lb higher than his last victory. while the lightly raced and likely improver Net D'ecosse is making his handicap debut.
Mr Diablo (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up, 7th from 4th, last and pushed along 7th, no impression approaching 4 out, no extra and eased straight, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Draycott Place (10-10) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Damut (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Held up, 11th early, closed under pressure straight, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 18, 2 1/2l behind A Toi Phil (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Net D'Ecosse (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 6th before 2 out, no extra and blundered last, 6th of 7, dist behind Sub Lieutenant (11-8) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Rightville Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 6th halfway, slight mistake 4 out and no extra when jumped left next, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind Sumos Novios (11-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Emcon (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in moderate 5th, left moderate 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Limini (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Bearly Legal (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th at 4th, moderate 5th before straight, kept on well without threatening run-in, 4th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Katnap (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
The Gatechecker (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-12) Held up, slight mistake 2nd, 9th at 6th, improved to be prominent approaching 3 out, switched right before last where close up and bad mistake, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Killaro Boy (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In rear, brought down 9th, at Thurles 3m 1f hvy in Feb.
The Mooch (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Soon towards rear, no impression 2 out, 12th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Grand Partner (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Dallas Cowboy (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Held up, soon towards rear, 8th approaching straight, ridden and progress to lead run-in, headed closing stages and one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Elusive Ivy (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
