led and kept wide throughout, headed 7th, ridden 2 out and no extra in 3rd before last, eased and virtually pulled up run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, jumped well, led 7th, pushed along before last and kept on well run-in
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden to go 2nd after 2 out and tried to challenge last, no impression on winner run-in
A disappointing turnout numerically but three of Ireland's top novice chasers are engaged. BOG WARRIOR is still in a couple of races at Cheltenham but comes here instead and his overall form gives him the edge. A seven-length winner from today's rival Flemenstar at Navan in November, he looks potentially top class and though the latter has undoubtedly made giant strides subsequently it's unlikely he can reverse the form. Rathlin took his time to warm up over fences but is now a cracking prospect as he showed with a very impressive Grade 2 success over the C&D two weeks ago and he can't be ignored.
Bog Warrior (IRE) 1-5fav (11-12) Made all, clear before halfway, reduced advantage but still travelling well before 2 out, stretched clear run-in, very easily, won at Naas 2m nov chs sft in Feb beating Slieveardagh (11-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Flemenstar (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, headway to lead before 3 out and soon asserted, in command in straight and kept on well, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan beating Gift Of Dgab (11-12) by 19l, 7 ran.
Frisco Depot 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd when slight mistake 7 out, 3rd when slightly slow jump next, struggling and no extra from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Quietly Fancied (11-0) at Thurles 2m 4f nov chs sft in Jan, 4 ran.
Rathlin 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 5th until 7th, led again from 8th, asserted entering straight, in command run-in and kept on well, very easily, won at Naas 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Shot From The Hip (11-5) by 9l, 5 ran.
