rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
rear of mid-division on outer, headway on wide outer into 3rd entering straight, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders on outer, slight mistake 2nd, ridden in 6th 3 out, weakened
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 4 out, headway into 4th 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden in 7th 3 out, weakened
always behind, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, closer in 9th 3 out, ridden in 7th next, soon no impression
mid-division on inner, checked briefly entering straight, headway into 4th and ridden 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on same pace
in rear, headway on outer into 11th and mistake 3 out, ridden in 10th next, went 4th at last, kept on run-in
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2 out, no extra in 7th when slight mistake at last
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, soon ridden, 5th next, no impression
tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
Hareth is 5lb higher than when landing this a year ago but he's also won on the Flat here subsequently and can't be ruled out despite poor recent form. Chatham Street Lad went up 10lb for an easy victory over 2m at Cork but made a bold bid over this trip on a return visit when caught on the line. Gordon Elliott has three entries and jockey bookings would suggest Woods Well is the best of them though he hasn't run over hurdles since April 2017. Ronald Pump has really found his form, staying on strongly to score over this trip at Cork before a comfortable victory over 3m at Fairyhouse. He's up 13lb here and faces a more difficult task as does Melly And Me from his maiden victory at Limerick. PLINTH has managed to win nine times over hurdles and has been given a chance by the handicapper as he's now on his lowest ever mark. With his stable and jockey both in top form he's taken to gain victory number ten.
Twobeelucky 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out, lost place when switched right straight, slight mistake last and one pace, 13th of 17, 17 1/2l behind Jetez (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Cartwright 6-4fav (11-12) Held up, soon raced in 6th, last at 5th, pushed along from 3 out and headway, not match leaders in 5th when bad mistake last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Babbling Stream (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 3f gd in Aug.
Monkshood (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, bad mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Fairyhouse 3m hcp sft in Apr.
Woods Well (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division early, not fluent 3rd, 12th after 7th, slight mistake 5 out, soon no impression, 14th of 27, dist behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Mid-division on outer, 7th halfway, headway early straight and 2nd when mistake 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on under pressure and led briefly run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Midnight Stroll (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Plinth (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 9th before 2 out, ridden into 6th before last, no impression when mistake last, kept on one pace, 8th of 23, 14 1/4l behind Cuneo (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra before straight, moderate 4th when fell 2 out, at Clonmel 3m Yielding in Dec.
Golden Jewel (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division early, 10th approaching halfway, a little slow 4th, one pace from before last, 11th of 17, 15 1/4l behind Jetez (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Jimmy Breekie (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, progress 4 out, 6th next, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd at last, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Walk To Freedom (10-12) at Navan 2m 7f hcp gd in Nov.
Ronald Pump 9-2fav (11-11) Rear of mid-division, headway into 7th 4 out, 5th entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, led before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Jan beating Agusta Gold (11-7) by 6l, 12 ran.
Hareth (IRE) 5-1fav (11-5) Mid-division early, well off pace in 11th at 4th, kept on same pace without threatening from before straight, slight mistake last, 8th of 14, 30 1/4l behind Nobody Home (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
Melly And Me (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Prominent, pushed along approaching straight, progress to challenge at last, led run-in and stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 6f mdn sft in Dec beating Wild Rumour (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Agusta Gold (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, went 4th entering straight, short of room briefly on inner before 2 out, went 3rd and ridden 2 out, 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Ronald Pump (11-11) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Jan.
Mary Frances (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led or disputed lead, led early straight, pushed along before 2 out and 2 lengths lead approaching last, ridden and headed run-in, no extra, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Midnight Stroll (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
