soon settled well off pace in rear, never a factor
made all, opened up race winning lead from before 2 out, kept on well under pressure run-in, reduced lead close home
soon raced in 2nd, raced wide in straight both times, struggling when mistake 2 out, soon no extra in 3rd
keen hold early, soon poor 4th, never a factor
2nd when mistake 2nd, chased leaders in 3rd after, niggled along from 3 out and soon struggling, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, kept on well run-in without ever looking like getting there
FOR BILL looks the one to be on here. Unbeaten in three bumpers and two point-to-points, she included a Grade 3 victory in her trio of successes over timber and landed a Grade 3 novice chase on soft ground at Thurles in January. She faces stiff opposition on her return to action but looks a very nice chasing prospect. Free World put a couple of mishaps behind him when beating Schelm at Ballinrobe and is a big threat while Finger Onthe Pulse, last year's Galway Plate winner, has invariably competed at a much higher level and will find this less taxing. Jadanli makes his long-awaited return to action after his poor effort in a Grade 2 at Down Royal in November but last year's Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup Chase winner will do well to get involved here under his big penalty.
Jadanli (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind The Nightingale (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent and disputed, 2nd halfway, close up and mistake 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, weakened entering straight, 10th of 22, 27l behind Blazing Tempo (10-4) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Free World (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, 3rd 4 out, improved to lead before 2 out, shaken up briefly run-in, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f chs gs in Aug beating Schelm (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Merchent Paddy (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 47l behind Se Beag (9-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Mar.
For Bill (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd early straight, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Coscorrig (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Chase (Listed) (5yo+) (1) gd in Apr.