tracked leader, 2nd halfway, under pressure and dropped to 6th after 4 out, no extra in straight
towards rear, some headway entering straight, 8th when fell 2 out
mid-division when fell 1st
never a factor, moderate 7th 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders mainly 5th, ridden in 6th early straight, went moderate 4th before last, kept on one pace
always prominent, headway to lead by-passing 3 out, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in
led, strongly pressed and headed by-passing 3 out, 4th next, soon no extra, weakened
held up, 8th halfway, mistake 4 out, good headway into 4th entering straight, went 2nd before last, soon no impression under pressure, no extra run-in
mid-division, 6th halfway, closer in 5th by-passing 3 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders on outer, mistake 4th, 4th halfway, went 2nd and challenged before 2 out, no impression under pressure in 3rd at last, kept on one pace run-in to regain 2nd
The chasing debut of FIONNEGAS has been long awaited and Willie Mullins looks to have found him the right opportunity. Unbeaten in his first four starts, he was twice narrowly defeated in Grade 1 company over timber before unshipping David Casey in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham then ending the campaign with a second to Reve De Sivola in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He should get a fair test here as Uncle Tom Cobley made a promising chasing debut behind Saludos here two weeks ago and can only improve while Lastoftheleaders, a very easy winner over hurdles here in February, looked a decent prospect when third to Hampshire Express at Thurles having fallen on his chasing bow at Naas in March.
Bobs Way (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 20th of 25, well behind Staying Article (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl.
City of Doral 40-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Saludos (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs sft.
Fionnegas (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th 4 out, smooth headway to dispute lead approaching 2 out, narrowly headed when not fluent last, led again run-in, headed and no extra inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Reve De Sivola (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Hidden Crack 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th before 5 out, no impression in 5th 3 out, left moderate 4th, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 41l behind Bostons Angel (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs.
Hughies Grey (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd and mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 11, well behind Bostons Angel (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs.
Lastoftheleaders (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 7th halfway, progress approaching 4 out, challenged entering straight and disputed lead 2 out, headed before last, no extra and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Hampshire Express (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs sft.
Puddencullinan (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, headed 5 out, soon weakened, in a race won by Island Wood (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs in Oct, 16 ran.
Rahan De Marcigny (FR) 33-1 (11-11) Towards rear, headway into 5th 2 out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Kakagh (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
Smoking Aces (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 12th and no impression before 4 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 25l behind Thegreatjohnbrowne (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Oct.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Soon disputed, 2nd 6 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace to 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Saludos (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs sft.
Western Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 6th 3 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 16l behind Romanesco (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m beg chs hvy.
