led, not fluent 4th, slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and pressed from last, ridden run-in, headed and no extra close home
raced mainly in 2nd, dropped to 3rd and pushed along before 3 out, ridden to challenge in share of 2nd before last, kept on best run-in to lead inside final 50 yards
raced in rear, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent 5 out, detached from 4 out and soon no extra, tailed off
raced in 4th, took closer order from 3 out, disputing 2nd and poised to challenge between horses when mistake and unseated after last
Ash Tree Meadow completed a hat-trick on fast ground over fences last summer before a cracking effort in the Galway Plate which will probably be his target again. Da Capo Glory's bumper and hurdling victories have come on much softer ground but The Short Go looks one to follow this summer after an all-the-way success on good ground at Killarney. JEFF KIDDER was in brilliant form in the spring of 2021, landing a Cheltenham Grade 3, a Fairyhouse Grade 2 and the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle here. He was beaten a long way on his return after a long break here in December but is hopefully restored to his best.
Ash Tree Meadow (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenged 3 out, led and slipped slightly on final bend, ridden and headed flat, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Straw Fan Jack (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Da Capo Glory (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd 3 out, improved to dispute lead next, ridden entering straight, slight mistake and headed at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Grangeclare West (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Apr.
Gekkota (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, pushed along and made no impression before 2 out, 12th of 17, dist behind I Don't Get It (11-8) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Jeff Kidder (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 5th after 4th, no impression on principals before 7th, 6th after 4 out, under pressure and weakened before last, 7th of 10, 34 1/2l behind Saint Sam (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Darraby 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 6th 3 out, ridden in 6th next, soon no impression on leaders, 4th of 17, 20l behind Night Sparkle (11-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in May.
The Short Go (IRE) 4-9fav (11-4) Made all, not fluent at 1st, increased advantage after 2 out, clear last, kept on well, easily, won at Killarney 2m 4f mdn gd in May beating All For Rachel (11-4) by 11l, 15 ran.
