led and soon clear at fast pace, ridden and headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd entering straight, kept on one paced from last
tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, improved into 3rd and before 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd entering straight, kept on without threatening winner run-in
tracked leaders, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression from 3 out, kept on one paced straight, went moderate 4th from last
tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, not fluent at 1st, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression in moderate 4th, slight mistake last
chased clear leader in 2nd, niggled along 4 out, led after 2 out, ridden clear from last, stayed on strongly, easily
always in rear, reminders 5th, behind from 3 out, eased run-in
always behind, trailing 4 out, pulled up before next
Noel Meade has a fantastic record in this so it would be no surprise to see his Italian import Il Fenomeno, a good fifth behind stablemate Prima Vista and today's rival Rathlin in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last week, run a big race here. Otterstown Lady and Oilily finished 1-2 in a maiden here a year ago but the latter has made the better progress and looks a threat, though she was beaten by HIDDEN UNIVERSE in the Champion Bumper at last year's fixture. Dermot Weld's charge hasn't done quite as well as expected over timber since landing his maiden but his two defeats have come in Grade 1s at Leopardstown and Cheltenham and he will be the freshest in the field. He has a little to find with Far Away So Close on their run behind Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but the latter had a tough race when scoring at Aintree which may just have taken its toll. Shot From The Hip was a big disappointment at Gowran last time and will need major improvement to get involved though earlier form puts him in the picture.
Far Away So Close (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, led 5th, hit 2 out, soon headed, stayed challenging, ran on under pressure to lead again towards finish, won at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Jack Cool (10-4) by nk, 21 ran.
Hidden Universe (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led to after 1st, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 42l behind Al Ferof (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Il Fenomeno (ITY) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders mainly 5th, pushed along after 3 out, kept on one pace in straight, 5th of 7, 9l behind Prima Vista (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Rathlin 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, headway travelling best to dispute 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly at last where mistake, soon headed, kept on one pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Prima Vista (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Shot From The Hip (GER) 4-7fav (11-8) Chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden in 8th 3 out, 6th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Canaly (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m nh nov hdl in Apr.
Oilily (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division and keen, mistake 4 out, soon lost place on outer, good headway to lead before 2 out, ridden and headed final 100 yards, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Topolski (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Otterstown Lady (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 12l behind Knockfierna (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) gd in Apr.
