soon chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th from 5 out but well in touch, pushed along to close and challenge before 2 out, kept on without matching winner run-in
chased leaders, soon 3rd, 2nd from 5 out, on terms before 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed and stayed on best run-in
waited with in rear and off pace, never a factor, went moderate 4th after 2 out, left 3rd from last
led and soon went on, reduced lead from 5th, joined before 3 out, soon headed, dropped to 4th and switched right before 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, soon 4th, pecked 5th, 3rd from 5 out, effort straight, no extra between last 2, moderate 3rd and fell last
A PLUS TARD couldn't catch the previous year's winner Ballyoisin in this last year but went on to land a Leopardstown Grade 1 before an excellent third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. Still only six, he has plenty of big days ahead and should start with a victory here. Eclair De Beaufeu is more likely to be suited by the trip and receives 9lb so would be a threat if the selection isn't quite ready while Castlegrace Paddy will love the conditions and had Ornua in second when landing a Grade 2 on heavy ground here in March.
A Plus Tard (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, headway before 3 out, joined winner turning in, ridden after 2 out, one pace in 3rd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, not quite able to get back on terms with front pair, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Min (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd before 4th, pressed leader from before 4 out, on terms between last 2 travelling smoothly, led before last where slight mistake, briefly joined, stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Navan 2m (1) hvy in Mar beating Ornua (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Kildorrery (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, pulled hard, rapid headway to lead after 5th, headed after 3 out and soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Ornua (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, soon 5th, slight mistake 3rd, 4th approaching 4 out and not match leaders, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 8, 10 1/4l behind Abbey Magic (10-9) at Cork 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Chosen Mate (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Yaha Fizz (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Prominent, soon 2nd, on terms before 5th, soon led, headed 3 out, soon no impression, not fluent and no extra last, 4th of 5, 23 1/4l behind Battleoverdoyen (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Oct.
