prominent and disputed lead, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened, tailed off
settled towards rear, some headway into 8th after 2 out, no impression in straight
held up in mid-division, headway into 4th travelling well before 3 out, 2nd and ridden after 2 out, no impression in 3rd from early straight, kept on one pace
held up in rear, headway from 3 out, went 6th entering straight, soon ridden and no extra before last
settled towards rear, good headway on inner after 4 out, close up travelling best 2 out, went 2nd and ridden early straight, no impression on winner from before last, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division, never a factor, mistake 6th, trailing when pulled up before 3 out
led or disputed lead, headed before 2 out, driven along and dropped to 4th entering straight, no extra
chased leaders, mistake 4th, blundered 8th and dropped towards rear, no extra from 4 out, completely tailed off
disputed, mistake 4th, headed after 7th, in rear 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along 3 out, no impression in 8th approaching straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, 10th halfway, no extra after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, 8th 4 out, ridden in 5th after 2 out, soon no impression, no extra from before last
mid-division, 8th halfway, 5th 5 out, 3rd before 3 out, ridden and no impression in 7th entering straight, kept on one pace under pressure
always towards rear, tailed off
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, good headway on inner to dispute approaching 3 out, led before next, ridden and kept on well in straight
disputed lead, headed 5 out, no extra approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off
David Pipe can complete a double here via BATTLE GROUP, a hugely impressive winner over an extended three miles at Aintree after a good run in the Coral Cup. The six-year-old has taken time to find his form but this trip and good ground suit and Barry Geraghty is again in the saddle. Knockfierna is a rapidly improving mare who looks a big threat after her victory in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. This is her first start over the trip but she should have no problems staying. Lambro was having only his third start over timber when battling to victory over Mackeys Forge and today's rival Last Instalment in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last week. He had a hard race that day and Willie Mullins has another three runners entered, any one of which could take this. Mossey Joe didn't cope with heavy ground at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting and his earlier form puts him well in the frame while Saint Are's shock victory in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree is an obvious pointer to his chances here though he has a penalty to carry.
Saint Are (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 4th, led after 10th, not fluent 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Cantlow (11-4) by 4l, 19 ran.
Lambro (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders early, 8th approaching 4th, sllight mistake 5th, towards rear and niggled briefly 5 out, ridden in 8th entering straight, moderate 6th 2 out, stayed on in 3rd last, led run-in, strongly pressed, all out close home, just held on, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Mackeys Forge (11-5) by shd, 11 ran.
Battle Group 16-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, led after last, ran on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Ringaroses (11-0) by 5l, 20 ran.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders on outer, not fluent 6th and mistake 5 out, ridden along in 4th after 3 out, no impression in 3rd next, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 8, 9l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-8) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mossey Joe (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Settled in mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, close 3rd travelling well next, soon ridden and no extra from early straight, 7th of 10, 13l behind Mourad (11-6) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
Mount Helicon 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, led from 4th until headed after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Zaidpour (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Allee Garde (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Mid-division, closer in 6th before straight, went 2nd under pressure and challenged last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Gowran Park 3m hdl gd in Apr beating On The Way Out (11-0) by shd, 17 ran.
Baily Dusk (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Canaly (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m nh nov hdl in Apr.
Jack Bene (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out, under pressure in 2nd when hampered last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Baracas (10-6) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Knockfierna (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2 out, challenged last, soon led and kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) gd in Apr beating Golden Sunbird (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Last Instalment (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Led, headed 6th, led again before 2 out, ridden before last where slight mistake, headed run-in and no extra, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Lambro (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Raptor (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd 4 out, close 2nd travelling best 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) sft in Jan beating Westmeath (11-12) by 3l, 21 ran.
Raz De Maree (FR) 7-2fav (11-1) Mid-division early, 8th halfway, brought down 6 out, in a race won by Baracas (10-6) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Sweeney Tunes 9-4fav (11-12) Led, mistake 4th, strongly pressed and joined approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, no extra and weakened run-in, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Canaly (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f hdl in Mar.
Askanna (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division early, weakened after 3rd, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Golden Sunbird (11-4) at Limerick 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Ultravox (USA) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on to lead last 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr beating A Bridge Too Far (10-13) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
