settled mid-division in 5th, ridden into 3rd 2 out, no impression before last where 4th, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, ridden into 4th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on without reaching leaders run-in
held up towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression 2 out, moderate 6th last, kept on one pace
soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress on inner entering straight and not clear run, switched out and challenged 2 out, soon ridden and disputed, kept on well under pressure, edged ahead closing stages run-in
chased leader, led before 4th, disputed 4 out, led entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, soon disputed, kept on well under pressure, no extra in 2nd closing stages run-in
led, headed before 4th, disputed again 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, weakening when fell 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra 2 out
GOLANTILLA once looked potentially very useful and is only slowly making his way back. He scrambled home in a maiden hurdle at Thurles in November before finishing last of the three finishers, though not beaten far, in the Grade 1 Future Champions at Leopardstown in December. He faces a tough opponent here in Henry Higgins, a progressive type on the Flat and the easy winner of a Gowran maiden hurdle in October before beaten in better company. Identity Thief won a bumper and a maiden hurdle before finding Nichols Canyon and his like much too strong in the Grade 1 Deloitte at Leopardstown. Net D'Ecosse was a 33/1 chance when making his debut for Willie Mullins in a very strong Grade 2 at Leopardstown won by the stable's Outlander though he'll have derived considerable benefit from the run and it would be no shock to see him make all. Phil's Magic was very impressive here last month and there's no reason why he shouldn't get involved again.
Golantilla (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, left 3rd after 3rd, ridden into 2nd before last, no impression on winner, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Sizing John (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Henry Higgins (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders next, dropped to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 21l behind Douvan (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl hvy in Nov.
Net D'Ecosse (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Disputed lead, pushed along after 3 out, headed and ridden next, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 32l behind Outlander (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan.
Phil's Magic (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Chased leader, closer order into straight, led after 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb beating Baily Cloud (11-12) by 12l, 18 ran.
Prince Of Scars (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, improved to lead entering straight soon ridden and headed before last, rallied to dispute lead inside final furlong, kept on well, joined at line, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl in Jan deadheating with Gladiator King (11-12), 13 ran.
Ridestan (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader in 3rd on outer, 4th halfway, 5th and slow jump 3 out, soon weakened to rear, eased before 2 out, last of 11, well behind Orgilgo Bay (11-7) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl (grade c) gd in Sep.
Walk To Freedom (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leader, soon 2nd, not fluent 6th, dropped to moderate 5th at last, one pace, 5th of 10, 11l behind Shabra's Bertolini (10-5) at Down Royal 2m nov hcp hdl in Feb.
Identity Thief (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 5th and not fluent 5th, no extra in 7th 2 out, weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Nichols Canyon (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb, 9 ran.
I'm All You Need (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, progress into 5th 2 out, no extra early straight, weakened, 13th of 23, 21l behind Who's That (9-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mrs hcp hdl in Feb.
