raced in 5th, not fluent 8th, closed approaching straight, soon pushed along in 4th, left disputing lead 2 out, headed from last, 3rd and one pace last 100yds
tracked leaders in 3rd, a little keen, 4th approaching 7th, still travelling smoothly before straight, soon 3rd again, slightly impeded 2 out, every chance run-in, 2nd and kept on without matching winner last 100yds
led, joined before 3 out, pushed along before straight, headed approaching 2 out where left disputing lead, led again and stayed on best from last
raced in 4th, 3rd approaching 7th, under pressure before straight, soon dropped to 5th, no extra approaching 2 out where left 4th
in rear, detached from 7th, slight mistake next, closed under pressure approaching straight, soon no extra and eased, left 5th from 2 out
tracked leader in 2nd, on terms before 3 out, led approaching next where fell
The Mulcare Rover's shock victory at Roscommon in August was gained on good going. He followed that with a fair run on similar ground at Galway a couple of weeks later but he'll find conditions very different here. Prince Kup has been beaten in handicaps recently and takes a step up in trip but TONGIE'S only success to date came over the course and distance and he's been running well enough to be handed the vote. Black Zero is a chaser who is 0-13 over hurdles while Fluspar will need to improve but Ice Cool has been performing consistently in minor handicaps and, with the ground in his favour, looks the main threat.
The Mulcare Rover (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, moderate 4th at 8th, closer order from 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Bachasson (11-8) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Prince Kup (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, weakened, 10th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Solita (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Tongie (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) Prominent, a little keen early, 5th after 3rd, 4th after 6th, still travelling smoothly into straight, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, no impression from before last, no extra and eased closing stages, 2nd of 11, 6 1/2l behind O Ceallaigh (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Black Zero (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) A little keen, chased leaders, 7th from 3rd, slightly slow 5th, no impression from 2 out, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd near finish, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Chestnut Charlie (10-4) at Navan 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Fluspar (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always in rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Nov.
Ice Cool 8-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 8th from 2nd, still 8th before straight, ridden to chase winner in moderate 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 3 3/4l behind Conright Boy (11-1) at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
