walked for over ten seconds after start, behind in rear, closed before 4 out, soon 4th, chasing leaders when fell 3 out
walked for over ten seconds after start, led at slow pace early, soon joined, headed from 2nd, on terms again approaching straight, just headed 3 out, jumped slightly left 2 out and pushed along, dropped to 3rd and no extra when not fluent last, one pace
walked for over ten seconds after start, raced in 3rd at slow pace early, ridden from 2 out, 2nd at last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
walked for over ten seconds after start, soon raced in moderate 4th, pushed along briefly approaching 5th, closed before 4 out, pushed along again in last approaching straight, soon no extra and eased, left distant 4th from 3 out
walked for over ten seconds after start, soon disputed lead at slow pace, led from 2nd, joined approaching straight, just led again 3 out, pushed alog after next, hit last, pressed and stayed on well run-in, headed close home
The reappearance of ARCTIC FIRE has been long anticipated. Runner up to his brilliant stablemate Faugheen in in Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown, he would gained a deserved success when stepped up to this trip for the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle but for falling at the last and should have few problems making a successful return. Monksland has had an interrupted career but is still a high class hurdler and is young enough to make up for lost time. He's probably better over longer trips as he showed when just caught by Didigout over three miles in a Grade 2 at Gowran in January and his rider is likely to set a strong gallop. Carlingford Lough has won three Grade 1s over fences and also the Galway Plate though he hasn't run over hurdles for over three years. The remaining pair are useful but have a mountain to climb.
Plinth (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, progress in 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, led run-in and kept on well under pressure to assert closing stages, won at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct beating Fethard Player (11-4) by 1l, 6 ran.
Taglietelle 6-1 (11-7) In rear, pushed along from 6th, not fluent next, soon under pressure, some headway to chase leaders approaching straight, soon no impression, slight mistakes last 2, one pace,, 4th of 5, 14 3/4l behind Diakali (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Jul.
Arctic Fire (GER) 5-1fav (11-12) Raced in 2nd, pushed along from 2 out, no impression straight, one pace,, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Faugheen (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 5 out, no impression in 8th 3 out, never near leaders, weakened flat, 9th of 16, 27 3/4l behind Coneygree (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Monksland (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, lost place 2 out, weakened before last, 14th of 16, dist behind Cole Harden (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
