led, headed before 4th, led again 2 out, strongly pressed approaching last, under pressure and headed run-in, no impression on winner close home
tracked leader in 2nd, progress to lead before 4th, slight mistake and headed 2 out, ridden to challenge last, under pressure and led run-in, kept on well close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, moderate 4th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, no impression approaching 2 out and moderate 3rd entering straight, no extra
Hurricane Fly won this four times in the past five years, his winning run interrupted by Dermot Weld's Unaccompanied. Weld runs the Neptune winner Windsor Park here and though that was his last run over timber he's been successful on the Flat subsequently. He won't mind the conditions but though he had NICHOLS CANYON behind at Cheltenham he was beaten by Willie Mullins' charge on softer ground here in February. The latter enters the fray in brilliant form having beaten Faugheen in the Morgiana at Punchestown and that could just give him the edge, especially on today's ground. Ruby Walsh has opted for him over Arctic Fire, a close third in this last year and subsequently in brilliant form. He's probably better over further these days but Jacques Ricou will make the most of his stamina and it should be a fascinating clash. Identity Thief had his greatest day so far at Newcastle where he landed the Fighting Fifth though he's taking on much better opposition while Plinth looks as though he's playing for a place.
Identity Thief (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led to before 5th, tracked leader, close up 3 out, challenged next, led again briefly when mistake and headed last, ridden flat, stayed on well to regain narrow lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Top Notch (11-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Nichols Canyon 7-1 (11-10) Made all, driven and asserted before last where not fluent, reduced advantage run-in, kept on best, ridden out, won at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Faugheen (11-10) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Plinth (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Ran 5th, no impression and driven after 3 out, no extra after 2 out, never a factor, last of 5, 26 3/4l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Windsor Park (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Towards rear, 15th from early and pushed along briefly, pushed along again over 4f out, soon some headway on outer, no impression 2f out, soon no extra, 12th of 16, 19 3/4l behind Silwana (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Arctic Fire (GER) 4-5fav (11-10) Held up, 5th halfway, closer entering straight, 3rd travelling well before 2 out, led before last, soon asserted, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Alpha Des Obeaux (11-10) by 4l, 7 ran.
