always behind, mistake 4th, never a factor
tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division and slight mistake 8th, 6th and slight mistake 4 out, no impression from next
always trailing, never a factor
tracked leaders, 3rd and slight mistake 6th, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, kept on one pace
always prominent, disputed lead briefly at 3rd, headed 4th and chased winner throughout thereafter, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
towards rear, progress into 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
rear of mid-division, bad mistake 7th, never a factor
always behind, never a factor
mid-division, closer in 5th 4 out, no impression on outer from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, bad mistake 4th, no impression from 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, pushed along in 6th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
disputed lead early, headed 4th, slow jump 5th, 4th 4 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, soon no impression
disputed lead, led from 4th and made rest, travelling well 2 out, pushed along at last, stayed on well inside final furlong
The chasing debut of high-class hurdler Melon has been much anticipated and though failing to build on his brilliant early form over timber and not having a chasing pedigree it will be a surprise if he isn't good enough to get into contention. However, OFF YOU GO is also a classy performer over timber as his victory in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopardstown suggests. He has a much more conventional pedigree for jumps and is taken to see off the likely favourite. I'm A Game Changer, another smart hurdler, has experience of fences having finished runner-up at Exeter a year ago when trained by Philip Hobbs and he looks a nice addition to Gordon Elliott's team. The four-year-old Fakir D'Oudairies looks a major threat in a very interesting contest as he was in superb form over hurdles last winter having followed victories at Cork and Cheltenham with excellent performances in Grade 1's at the three major spring festivals.
Cle En Main (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, slight mistake 8th, headway after 4 out, went moderate 4th next, soon pushed along, moderate 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 5 1/2l behind Fenno's Storm (11-8) at Gowran Park 3m 1f sft in Mar.
Dis Donc (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leader, close up and disputed from 6th, slight slow 3 out, upsides when mistake 2 out, no extra from next and weakened, 9th of 11, dist behind Sayo (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Empire Escape (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, took keen hold, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 14th of 17, dist behind Envoi Allen (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn sft in Nov.
I'm A Game Changer (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, fell 6th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Melon (10-10) last of 12, 28 1/2l behind Benie Des Dieux (10-5) at Auteuil 3m 1f hvy in May.
Milan Native (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Prominent, soon 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, soon no extra in 4th, slight mistake 2 out, 4th of 5, 21 1/2l behind Darver Star (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Oct.
Never Off Duty (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Sayo (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Odds Or Evens (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Waited with, 10th approaching halfway, no impression from 6th, 7th of 11, dist behind Castlebrook (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f hvy in Oct.
Off You Go (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 4 out, tight for room from next, 3rd before straight, soon switched left and effort, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 3rd on line, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Rashaan (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Salty Boy (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led and disputed, headed before 5th where a little slow, dropped to 5th after 6th, pushed along from 4 out and no impression, 4th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Dream Conti (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Trainwreck (IRE) 10-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, closer when mistake 4 out, pushed along approaching straight and no extra from 2 out, 8th of 10, 28 1/2l behind Share The Honour (10-2) at Tipperary 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
Caravation (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Prominent, disputed from 3rd, led before 5 out, pressed 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 16, 37 1/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 7-4 (11-0) Disputed lead early, led from 2nd, clear from next, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden entering straight, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
