made all, not fluent 4 out, went on travelling well entering straight, 5 lengths clear 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on well, easily
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 6th and no impression after 3 out, no extra
towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression in 5th when mistake 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, 7th halfway, 4th after 3 out, pushed along in 3rd and no impression before next, ridden and went 2nd early run-in, kept on one pace, no threat to winner
held up in touch, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden in 4th and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in touch, 4th halfway, not fluent 5th and slow next, pushed along in rear when mistake 7th, no extra from 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and dropped to 3rd early run-in, kept on one pace
Soviet Pimpernel, a Grade 3 winner over hurdles here back in 2019, has been racing in tough handicap company over fences and should find this more to his liking. He's now rated 128 but it will be a surprise if EL BARRA doesn't achieve a higher mark. Willie Mullins' charge won his last two races over timber last spring and has come up against a pair of very smart stablemates in his two runs over fences this winter. His latest placed effort behind Saint Sam was given a boost when runner-up Thedevilscoachman won a Grade 2 over hurdles next time. Winning hurdler Whiskeywealth has disappointed in two starts over fences but could still prove best of the remainder.
El Barra (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, 3rd before last and no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Saint Sam (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f sft in Jan.
He Fitz In (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased clear leaders, closer in 5th 5 out, 6th and pushed along when not fluent 3 out, no impression after 2 out, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in, 6th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Mankhool (11-0) at Thurles 2m 5f mdn Yielding in Mar.
Hereditary Rule (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd and ridden 2 out, 5th at last, no extra, 5th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Silvertown (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Soviet Pimpernel (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, mistake 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, 6th of 12, 33l behind Dunvegan (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
That'll Be The Day (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ran freely, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 6th approaching straight, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Rebel Early (10-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Tipping Away (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Disputed lead, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 21 1/4l behind Silvertown (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Whiskeywealth (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, 2nd halfway, led 3 out, pushed along and headed early straight, 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 14, 25l behind Krabat (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
