towards rear, headway into 3rd approaching straight, pushed along 2 out, soon pulled up quickly injured
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to challenge 3 out, soon pushed along and no extra after 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th approaching 2 out, 2nd after 2 out and soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace
made all, jumped right 2nd, 4 lengths clear halfway, jumped right 4 out and pressed briefly next, asserted 2 out and pushed along to go 5 lengths clear before last, stayed on well run-in, easily
held up towards rear, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, moderate 3rd before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to rear approaching straight and no impression 3 out, left moderate 5th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
APPLE'S JADE won this last year and Arctic Fire was successful in 2015. The former, still only six, went on to land Grade 1 events at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown beating Nichols Canyon and Supasundae in the process but lost her way a little in championship events at Cheltenham and Punchestown. She should have the legs of these and Arctic Fire is nothing like the force of old though can still win races at a lower level, a remark that also applies to former champion hurdler Jezki. The selection's stable companion Dortmund Park is one to watch for in major races this campaign as he was very impressive in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown while Identity Thief had his day of glory last season in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, though had become inconsistent after a spell over fences.
Identity Thief (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, moderate 6th 5 out, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 29 3/4l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Dortmund Park (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, closed and slight mistake 3 out, left in lead from next, went on approaching last, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr beating Whiskey Sour (11-10) by 10l, 9 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, mistake 6th and moderate 8th halfway, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 12, dist behind Faugheen (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Apple's Jade (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Raced in 2nd, on terms from 5th, gained narrow lead 6th, joined 8th, led 3 out, pushed along before straight, headed approaching last, dropped to 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Benie Des Dieux (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Arctic Fire (GER) 10-3 (11-0) Raced in 4th, mistake 3rd, 5th after 4th, effort to chase leaders and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Bedrock (11-7) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Coney Island (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, soon towards rear, moderate 5th after 4th, slightly slow jump 7th, not fluent 9th, soon pulled up, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
