mid-division, some headway approaching straight, ridden and no extra after 2 out
rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden and no extra in rear after 3 out, weakened
towards rear, headway on outer approaching straight, 4th 2 out, no impression in 5th last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway and left 2nd 4 out, ridden after 2 out and no extra before last
mid-division, 6th approaching straight, no extra after 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway on outer in 6th 2 out, pushed along to lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd halfway and left in lead 4 out, pushed along and headed approaching last, no extra run-in, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, 9th approaching straight, pushed along after 2 out and 6th last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division halfway and not fluent 6th, pushed along and no impression in rear entering straight, no extra, weakened
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no extra after 2 out
tracked leaders, slightly hampered 4 out, 2nd 3 out, pushed along and led briefly approaching last, ridden and no impression run-in, no extra close home
towards rear, never a factor, hampered 4 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace
led, jumped right, fell 4 out
in rear, some headway on outer early straight, pushed along in 9th before last, kept on one pace, never a factor
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th 2 out and ridden to challenge last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
The four-year-old Lex Talionis is progressing fast as he showed when just outstaying CHAMPAGNE PAT (NAP) at Punchestown. He'll make a bold bid to follow up but had a fitness advantage over the runner-up, who was having his first start since February and just ran out of steam close home. Masterson won a novices' hurdle at Clonmel in September though that was over 2m4f and though Our Boy Boru won a maiden hurdle over the course and distance last September he hasn't run since December. Black Zero is better known as a chaser but reverts to hurdles on an 11lb lower mark while it wouldn't be a surprise to see a return to form of Oscars Den, who reverts to his best trip.
Duke Cass (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, 6th before 6th where mistake, under pressure 8th, no impression approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 10, 34l behind Livelovelaugh (11-9) at Thurles 2m 4f sft in Feb.
All Souls (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Rear, not fluent at 7th, detached after 3 out, no extra, last of 4, 29l behind De Plotting Shed (11-7) at Naas 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Nov.
Admiral Brian (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression before next, no extra, 7th of 9, 26 1/2l behind Persistent (10-0) at Tipperary 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Theophilus (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 6th, jumped left 3 out, dropped to 8th before straight, jumped left last and no extra, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Persistent (10-12) at Galway 2m 1f hcp sft in Oct.
Masterson (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) 10th of 16, dist behind Pallasator (12-0) at Punchestown 1m 6f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Oscars Den (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, headway before 4 out, 6th 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression early straight, no extra, 7th of 22, 19l behind Ben Dundee (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
Our Boy Boru (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 4th, slight mistake next, 6th before straight, 3rd again and slight mistake last, kept on without threatening winner run-in, 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Dawerann (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Lakemilan (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, progress in 6th after 3 out, 4th entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind High School Days (11-3) at Wexford 2m sft in Oct.
Master Ruffit (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, dist behind Chidswell (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Black Zero (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, a little keen, bumped rival 2nd, 7th after 5th, headway and slightly impeded last, moderate 3rd approaching straight, stayed on well inside final furlong, 2nd near line, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Presenting Mahler (10-13) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Champagne Pat (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, closer in 4th halfway, pushed along entering straight and 2nd approaching last, under pressure and every chance run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 20, hd behind Lex Talionis (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Rooster Byron (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd, closed from before 7th, led after 3 out, ridden into straight, joined from before 2 out, soon headed, no impression and slight mistake last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 6 1/2l behind Head Turner (10-13) at Wexford 2m hcp sft in Mar.
Hows Patsy (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Not fluent 7th, moderate 3rd next, lost place 10th, pulled up before 3 out, at Thurles 2m 6f mdn sft in Feb.
The Mooch (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Wexford 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, closer 4 out, pushed along and headway in 3rd before last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Champagne Pat (11-1) by hd, 20 ran.
