tracked leaders, 4th approaching 6 out, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
led and disputed, in front when slight mistake 4 out, asserted from before 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
in touch towards rear, ridden into moderate 6th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
in touch towards rear, progress 4 out, 4th before next, no impression in 3rd from before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 2nd from 4 out, ridden before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
tracked leaders, dropped to moderate 6th before 3 out, no impression under pressure in 5th approaching straight, kept on same pace
close up and disputed lead for much, not fluent 6 out and next, ridden in 3rd 4 out, moderate 5th before 3 out, soon weakened
in touch towards rear, closer in 4th 4 out, soon 3rd, dropped to 4th again and kept on same pace from before 2 out
CUAN NA GRAI was in fine form at this time a year ago over hurdles and fences and bounced back after a couple of mishaps to land a novices' chase in good style at Punchestown. Official ratings show him to be almost level with Larkwing on today's terms but the latter appears to be better over fences nowadays. Blazing Temple may prove more of a threat as she has been running very well and followed her Leopardstown success with a good second in a Limerick Listed event and a fair fifth in Grade 3 company at Punchestown.
Baily Light (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Never a factor, 22nd of 25, well behind Prince Rudi (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Apr.
Cuan Na Grai (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Always prominent, chased clear leader in 2nd, headway to lead approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from before last, comfortable, won at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs gd in Apr beating Themoonandsixpence (11-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Hans Crescent (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Never a factor, 14th of 23, 41l behind Arvika Ligeonniere (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl gd in Apr.
Sciatin (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, improved into 3rd 3 out, 2nd and ridden approaching 2 out, outpaced approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Hampshire Express (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl in Mar.
Blazing Tempo (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th 3 out, headway into close 3rd when stumbled after 2 out, moderate 5th early straight , kept on one pace, 5th of 21, 12l behind Tarla (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f hdl G3 gd in Apr.
Larkwing (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place when badly hampered 5th, no danger after, 20th of 24, well behind Pause And Clause (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Rathmore Castle (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, lost place from 4 out, soon weakened, 17th of 28, well behind Oscar Time (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 in Dec.
The God Of Love (USA) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division, slipped up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Jigalo (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr, 25 ran.
