raced in 3rd, closer 5 out, pushed along to challenge on stands' side approaching 2 out, led 2 out, 2 length lead at last, ridden run-in, kept on well
raced in 2nd, not fluent 3 out, challenged approaching next, pushed along in 2nd after 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
led, not fluent 1st, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and strongly pressed approaching next, mistake and headed 2 out, soon dropped to rear and no impression, mistake last, no extra
Paul Townend rides Cash Back, an easy winner here two years ago but who’s jumping problems held back his progress though he had a confidence booster over hurdles at Clonmel last month. Stable companion Blackbow has run very well in two major handicaps since reappearing though is well exposed and CAPTAIN GUINNESS may have the measure of the Mullins’ pair. Henry De Bromhead’s charge has a penalty for a Grade 3 victory here but easily holds Cash Back on their run in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase at Leopardstown. Darasso has been running well over hurdles and has a Grade 2 victory over fences to his credit so can’t be ruled out.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 5th after 1st, 4th at 4th, improved to 3rd before 2 out, under pressure before last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 16 3/4l behind Chacun Pour Soi (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Blackbow (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, on terms at 5th, soon led, increased advantage at 9th, reduced lead 3 out, headed before last where dropped to 4th, weakened to 5th closing stages, 5th of 17, 8 1/2l behind Birchdale (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Cash Back (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Rear, bad mistake at 1st and reminder, soon ran freely in 4th, dropped to rear at 4th, slightly detached after 4 out, detached 3 out, no extra in moderate 4th before last, never a factor, 4th of 5, 27 3/4l behind Chacun Pour Soi (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Darasso (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent in 5th at 4th, progress 2 out, ridden and no impression on leader in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Teahupoo (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
