soon raced in 6th, moderate 5th from before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on without threatening run-in
soon raced in 4th, 2nd approaching 2 out, dropped to moderate 3rd and no impression from before last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 5 out, led from 3 out, asserted from before straight, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, reduced lead but always holding on close home
led, tended to jump a little left, headed from 3 out, weakened towards rear and no extra approaching straight
always towards rear, no impression from after 2 out
prominent, mainly 2nd until 3rd 5 out, weakened towards rear and no extra approaching straight
towards rear, went moderate 6th and no impression from before straight, kept on one pace
took keen hold, held up, slight mistake 4th, improved to chase leaders approaching straight, soon moderate 2nd, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
soon raced in 5th, 4th approaching straight, soon under pressure, went moderate 2nd and stayed on well run-in, not reach winner
Quevega, chasing a fantastic five-timer in this Grade 1, has followed a familiar path. She made her customary reappearance in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and kept on well to beat stable companion Glens Melody. Mourad will help set the pace in this and Willie Mullins' brilliant mare will make a bold bid to extend an unbeaten record that stretches back almost five years. But we're going to take her on this year with FINGAL BAY, who doesn't bear any scars from competing against the very best and may be approaching his prime. He was very highly regarded before injury interrupted his career and won the Pertemps Final under top weight at Cheltenham last month, which stamps him as potentially top-class. At Fishers Cross didn't manage a win last season, which was disappointing given his ability. He acts on good going but is better when the mud is flying, as is Reve De Sivola who was second in this last year. Bog Warrior won a Grade 2 over fences last time but is likely to struggle in this company back over the smaller obstacles.
At Fishers Cross (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Jumped right, pressed leader, led 4 out, headed last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Whisper (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Fingal Bay (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) In touch, headway 8th, challenged on inside between last 2, upsides when hit last, ridden and stayed on well under pressure flat, led final strides, won at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar beating Southfield Theatre (11-11) by ns, 23 ran.
Jetson (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 22, 3 1/2l behind Doctor Harper (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Led to after 3rd, tracked leaders, lost place 13th, plugged on from 2 out, no chance with leaders, 7th of 13, 18l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Mourad (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Prominent and disputed lead 2nd, not fluent and headed 4th, tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 6th and pushed along when slight mistake 3 out, under pressure and soon dropped to 4th, no extra from next, weakened, 5th of 7, 42l behind Thousand Stars (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) in Apr.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent 7th, mistake next, ridden after 2 out, headed between last 2, weakened last, 8th of 10, 19l behind More Of That (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Behind, struggling 4 out, never dangerous, 17th of 28, 22l behind Whisper (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Glens Melody (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside after 4 out, in touch when mistake next, left 2nd 2 out, led before last, ridden and hard pressed flat, kept on, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
Quevega (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 2 out, soon driven to chase leading pair, went 2nd and ridden before last, challenged flat, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar beating Glens Melody (11-5) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Bog Warrior (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Raced 3rd early and took keen hold, went 2nd from 4th, adrift of leader 4 out, closed on leader after 3 out, ridden next, improved to lead at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Mar beating Baily Green (11-10) by 3l, 4 ran.
