tracked leaders, 4th at halfway, headway into 2nd travelling well entering straight, led before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, 2nd and mistake 3 out, ridden from next, soon weakened, mistake at last
led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders on outer, bad mistake at 2nd, 5th at halfway, ridden in 6th 2 out, soon no impression
held up in 6th, pushed along at halfway, ridden and last 2 out, some progress entering straight, still 6th at last, kept on without threatening to go 2nd close home
held up in last, progress into 5th on outer 2 out, ridden in 3rd on outer entering straight, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression before last
The last two winners, Wicklow Brave and Supasundae, return again along with the brilliant APPLE'S JADE and former champion hurdler Buveur D'Air. The latter has lost his air of invincibility, being beaten by stable companion Verdana Blue in the Christmas Hurdle, falling in the Champion Hurdle and succumbing to Supasundae over 2m4f at Aintree. It was heavy going when he beat Melon a neck in last year's championship race at Cheltenham so conditions won't be a problem and he can reverse Aintree running with Jessica Harrington's charge over this trip. Melon was in the lead when falling three out in the latter event and finished in front of the selection at Cheltenham but Gordon Elliott's mare had an off day and bounced back with a cracking run in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle over 3m at Aintree and her allowance can see her back in the winner's enclosure.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Tracked leader until 2nd, left 2nd on bend after 5th, leader soon went clear, closed after 4 out, mistake and hampered 3 out, challenging 2 out, pressing winner flat, held final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Supasundae (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Melon 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leader 2nd, led after 5th, clear before next until after 4 out, about 1 length ahead when fell 3 out, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Led, not fluent 6th, headed between last 2 and not much room briefly, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Rashaan (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Summerville Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, weakened before being left modest 4th 3 out, 4th of 7, 32 3/4l behind Supasundae (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Supasundae 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along after 4 out, left in lead 3 out, pressed next, kept on flat, gamely kept finding enough to hold off challengers, in command inside final 100 yards, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr beating Buveur D'Air (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Wicklow Brave 7-2 (11-3) Waited with in rear, fell 3rd, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Apple's Jade (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Led, jumped right 7th and 3 out, ridden after 2 out, mistake last, headed near finish, 3rd of 15, 1/4l behind If The Cap Fits (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
