chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 6th, ridden and no extra before 2 out
held up, 9th entering straight, ridden in 7th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on run-in
held up towards rear, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 9th before last, ran on strongly run-in to lead close home
mid-division, improved to chase leaders 3 out, ridden in share of 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, challenged entering straight, soon led, joined 2 out, soon ridden, left in lead last and slightly hampered, soon headed, kept on same pace closing stages
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leader, 3rd halfway, no extra 3 out, weakened and tailed off
towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd entering straight, soon challenged, disputed 2 out, ridden before last where fell
led, clear early, reduced advantage from 3rd, ridden and headed early straight, left 3rd last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, progress into 5th entering straight, ridden in share of 3rd 2 out, left 2nd last, soon led, headed close home
mid-division best, no extra before 2 out, towards rear when slightly hampered and fell last
held up towards rear, progress into 7th entering straight, ridden in 6th 2 out, kept on well run-in to go 2nd close home
WHISPERINTHEBREEZE (NAP), who has a course and distance victory to his credit, reverts to hurdles for the first time in almost three years. He has won a Grade A handicap over fences at Leopardstown and is on an 11lb lower mark over timber so gets the vote. The lightly-raced Jacksons Gold had two hurdles victories behind him when tackling a Thurles Grade 3 but didn't handle the very heavy ground. Big King landed a novices' handicap at Navan and made a bold bid to defy an 11lb rise at Leopardstown and, though up another 4lb, is progressing nicely. Strange Notions is a consistent performer at the right end of the weights but Princess Vega, a debut winner in a Tramore maiden in May 2109, ran poorly in a Gowran handicap in January.
Morosini (FR) 22-1 (10-11) Settled behind leaders, 9th halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Wakea (USA) 80-1 (11-1) Prominent, slight mistake 1st, 2nd halfway, losing place when mistake 3 out, dropped towards rear before next, weakened, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Jacksons Gold (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, progress into 5th 4 out, ridden and no extra before next, weakened, 5th of 8, dist behind Grand Paradis (11-0) at Thurles 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
Aarons Day (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Mid-division, 8th 3 out, ridden on wide outer entering straight, soon no impression, 8th of 18, 15 3/4l behind Light Brigade (10-4) at Naas 1m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Ben Dundee (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered 10th, headway before 3 out, chased leaders when hampered next, soon one pace, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 5th of 23, 5 1/2l behind Simply The Betts (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Campeador (FR) 17-2 (11-4) Waited with, 9th at 4th, 6th approaching straight and pushed along, soon no impression and slight mistake 2 out, slight mistake last and one pace, 7th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Rhythm Divine (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Whisperinthebreeze 14-1 (10-13) Settled behind leaders, 10th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, pulled up before next, at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Benkei (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Waited with towards rear, 8th after 8th, closed up to track leaders approaching straight, no impression 2 out, soon no extra, 7th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Sassy Yet Classy (10-7) at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Nov.
Halsafari (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Waited with, 11th at 4th, soon some headway, no extra from before straight, completely tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Rhythm Divine (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Jammy George (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Pushed along briefly early, tracked leaders, 4th after 5th, lost place and pushed along again 7th, no danger and not fluent next, pulled up before 5 out, at Naas 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Nero Rock (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, not fluent 6th, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression and weakened, pulled up before next, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Big King (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Towards rear, closer 2 out, pushed along in mid-division early straight, switched right and went 5th before last, ridden and edged left to go 2nd run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 20, 3 1/2l behind Dysart Diamond (11-6) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Princess Vega (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, pulled up after 4 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Strange Notions (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, progress into 9th after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on into 6th last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 17, 10 3/4l behind She's Commanche (10-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Mar.
