GREAT FIELD makes his first appearance since winning last year’s Ryanair at the Punchestown Festival but fitness is unlikely to be an issue. That meeting is on the agenda again for Willie Mullins’ unbeaten chaser, who should have too much class for these. Doctor Phoenix beat Alisier D'irlande 13 lengths in a Grade 3 at Naas, with Tell Us More well behind, and is the one most likely to take advantage if the top weight comes up short. Inis Meain has little chance of success on these terms.
Great Field (FR) 9-10fav (11-10) Made all, soon went on, slight mistake 3rd, reduced lead 7th, good jump 4 out and extended lead again, slight mistake 2 out, asserted from before last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Ordinary World (11-10) by 11l, 8 ran.
Alisier D'Irlande (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Led, jumped left, mistake 4 out, headed next, ridden in moderate 3rd entering straight, regained moderate before 2nd at last, kept on without threatening easy winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Held up in last, closer in 4th at 6th, improved into 2nd travelling well entering straight, led 2 out, soon went clear, pushed along run-in, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Alisier D'Irlande (11-8) by 13l, 5 ran.
Tell Us More (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 3 out, soon briefly clear, jumped left 2 out and headed, soon ridden and weakened quickly, dropped to moderate 4th at last, no impression, 4th of 5, 33l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Inis Meain (USA) 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out and no impression before next, no extra 2 out, weakened, last of 4, 27l behind Goose Man (11-7) at Down Royal 2m hvy in Jan.
