soon led, jumped left 2 out, soon pushed along and headed approaching last, no impression on winner and kept on one pace
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, lost place before halfway and towards rear before 5 out, pushed along after 4 out, headway to go 3rd 2 out, ridden approaching last and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along in mid-division and slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
tracked leaders, pulled up quickly after 5th
tracked leaders, mid-division on inner and pulled up quickly after 5th
mid-division, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, ridden approaching last and kept on one pace
held up in rear, some headway before 2 out and pushed along in 5th entering straight, slight mistake last, kept on run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and headway to lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no extra after next, soon eased and pulled up before last
held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out and 6th next, no extra early straight
rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no extra after next, soon eased and pulled up before last
The first three home from the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham feature again. MINELLA INDO (NAP) had been beaten by Allaho in a Grade 3 at Clonmel in February but reversed the form in no uncertain terms at The Festival, always travelling well at the head of affairs and coming home strongly. A slow early gallop probably didn't help runner-up Commander Of Fleet but he had every chance and never really looked like pegging back the winner. Carefully Selected, placed in Grade 1 bumpers here and at Cheltenham last spring, reappeared with a simple task in a Limerick maiden hurdle in March and there's every prospect of him making a top-class staying hurdler while Defi Bleu is back over what will be his preferred trip after a very good run in the Martin Pipe.
Allaho (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, chased leaders and effort turning in, one pace in 3rd before last, kept on but no chance with clear pair flat, 3rd of 20, 9l behind Minella Indo (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Cap York (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, 7th from 3rd, slight mistake and pushed along 5th, soon lost place and dropped to rear, no impression before 7th, soon no extra, 9th of 12, dist behind Dommage Pour Toi (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Carefully Selected (IRE) 1-3fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd approaching 7th, pushed along to challenge before 2 out, led last, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Limerick 2m 6f mdn hvy in Mar beating Lord Schnitzel (11-12) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Castlebawn West (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Jumped slightly right at times, soon prominent, 4th before straight, not much room after 2 out, kept on without matching principals from before last, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Dommage Pour Toi (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Commander Of Fleet (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) In touch, dropped to mid-division 5th, headway on outside after 3 out, not fluent next, chased winner between last 2, ridden and edged left before last, kept on but always held flat, 2nd of 20, 2l behind Minella Indo (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Defi Bleu (FR) 14-1 (11-4) In touch, challenged after 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on but no impression in clear 3rd flat, 3rd of 24, 5 1/4l behind Early Doors (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
First Approach (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, in touch, lost place before 2 out, weakened before last, 11th of 20, 30l behind Minella Indo (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Go Another One (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked front pair, went 2nd before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear last, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Perth 3m lst (1) gd in Apr beating Captain Tommy (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Minella Indo (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Raced freely and travelled well virtually throughout, jumped into lead 3 out, came toward stands side between last 2, ridden before last, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar beating Commander Of Fleet (11-5) by 2l, 20 ran.
School Boy Hours (IRE) 6-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, good jump 1st to dispute, led after 5th, steadied and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, steadied again last, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn sft in Mar beating La Tektor (11-12) by 7l, 14 ran.
Walk Away (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, soon switched left, ridden before 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 12 3/4l behind Champ (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Salsaretta (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, 9th of 16, 20 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Soon chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, dropped to 10th before straight, soon no extra, 7th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Dommage Pour Toi (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
