led, headed before 3rd and chased leader, disputed 4 out, led next, headed and mistake last, ridden and no extra run-in, kept on one pace
held up, 3rd halfway, improved into 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead last, soon clear run-in, eased closing stages
chased leader, led before 3rd, disputed 4 out, headed next, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression
held up, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out
Willie Mullins had a huge entry at the early stage and it's significant that he relies on TENNIS CAP despite almost two years on the sidelines. Runner-up to Ted Veale in the 2013 County Hurdle, he makes his debut over fences but is bred for the job and can make a successful start. Winning bumper and hurdler Kick On Boss has been disappointing so far over fences having been beaten a long way on both starts. He sets a blistering gallop and has been fading though should be at peak fitness now. Rossvoss finished 10l behind him at Naas last month but that was his first start since October 2013 and he's entitled to get much closer. Written Inthestars won a minor handicap over hurdles on testing ground at Limerick in December and is making his debut over regulation fences having won a point-to-point last year.
Kick On Boss (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, led from 2nd, clear 5th, reduced lead before straight, soon headed, 3rd 2 out, no extra and mistake last, 5th of 11, 38l behind Blood Cotil (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Feb.
Rossvoss 100-1 (11-12) Held up, 9th from 2nd, no danger from before 5th, 7th of 11, well behind Blood Cotil (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Feb.
Tennis Cap (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, close 2nd when fell 5th, in a race won by Il Fenomeno (10-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr '13, 20 ran.
Written Inthestars (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 6th 3 out, kept on one paced from next, 6th of 16, 16l behind Peoples Park (11-8) at Navan 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109) in Feb.