Racecards
14:45 Leopardstown (IRE)
Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- €75,000 added
- Winner: €48,800
- 2nd: €14,300
- 3rd: €6,799
- 4th: €2,300
- Form 1/1112-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th and pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression early run-in, kept on well under pressure to lead on line
- Form 231733
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 135
settled in rear, 5th 4 out, pushed along 2 out and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
- Form 18-2212
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer J H Culloty
- Jockey R P McNamara
led until headed after mistake 3rd and almost unseated rider, tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead again after 2 out, strongly pressed and headed last, kept on under pressure, no extra close home and dropped to 3rd
- Form 133-12F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer D T Hughes
- Jockey B J Cooper
tracked leader until led from 3rd, strongly pressed and headed after 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, kept on under pressure, no extra closing stages and dropped to 4th
- Form 2-65053
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey D E Mullins
tracked leaders, slight mistake 8th and in rear when mistake 4 out, slow 2 out and no extra, weakened, completely tailed off
- Form 6-21331
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, good headway to join issue 2 out, led last and soon ridden, kept on under pressure, headed on line
Verdict
Cheltenham's Albert Bartlett runner-up BOSTON BOB started long odds-on for his chasing bow over a trip less than ideal at Naas in December but made very hard work of beating You Must Know Me, who has since been well beaten. Willie Mullins' charge is at the head of the market for the RSA Chase at the Festival and must prove his credentials here, which he is expected to do. He was conceding Lyreen Legend 10lb when beating him over hurdles here a year ago though the latter has done really well over fences despite falling at the third last when in touch here at Christmas. Texas Jack eventually finished third in that event before beating Lord Windermere narrowly over this track and trip and both are entitled to improve but Klepht and Star Neuville have a bit to find.
Formwatch
Boston Bob (IRE) 1-5fav (11-12) Waited with, moderate 2nd from before 4 out (normal 5 out), niggled along to close from before 2 out, gained narrow lead from before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in to hold off renewed effort of runner-up near finish, won at Navan 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec beating You Must Know Me (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Klepht (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, 9th next, soon ridden, 4th until left 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Farrells Fancy (9-6) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Jan.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Raced mostly 3rd, ridden in 4th entering straight, went 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd near line, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Texas Jack (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 6th halfway, still well in touch when fell 3 out, in a race won by Back In Focus (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Star Neuville (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, led and disputed before 5th, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, kept on under pressure, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lord Windermere (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3f beg chs sft in Dec.
Texas Jack (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Raced mostly 4th, close 3rd at last, ridden to lead early run-in, stayed on well under pressure close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Lord Windermere (11-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.