led, not fluent 4th, again not fluent 3 out and soon headed, pushed along and no extra in 4th from next
raced in 4th, not fluent 3rd, bad mistake 4 out and dropped to rear, pushed along and no impression from 2 out, tailed off
raced in rear, not fluent at times, went 3rd from 2 out and closed on leaders approaching last, ridden to lead inside final 150 yards, pressed again close home, just held on
chased leaders in 3rd, progress into 2nd approaching 3 out and soon led, joined from next and pushed along, regain lead approaching last, ridden and pressed run-in, narrowly headed inside final 150 yards, rallied close home, just failed
chased leader in 2nd, improved on inner to dispute lead from 2 out, ridden and headed before last, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra, kept on same pace run-in
A small but select field with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott dually represented. The former has won four of the last five and Buildmeupbuttercup arrives in superb form having completed a double at this level either side of a cracking run on the Flat in a premier handicap. She's joined by ELIMAY, unbeaten in her last four including in higher grades the last twice over fences, is a superb prospect over the bigger obstacles but she had enough pace to land a Listed hurdle over 2m1f at Killarney earlier. Elliott is represented by Daylight Katie, who has a penalty for her Grade 3 victory at Down Royal where she made several mistakes, and Black Tears, runner-up in this a year ago and in top form later with a Grade B handicap victory at Leopardstown and a second in the Coral Cup the highlights. Magic Of Light, last year's Grand National runner-up, has a Grade 2 penalty for her victory over an extended 2m7f at Ascot and is likely to find some of these too quick.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Led, joined from 4th, headed next, hit 6th, on terms approaching straight, soon led again and pushed along, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, last of 8, 32l behind Cracking Smart (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
Daylight Katie (FR) 1-3fav (10-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, headway into 2nd travelling well when bad mistake 3 out, led before next, ridden and joined 2 out, led at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Jeremys Flame (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Buildmeupbuttercup 8-11fav (11-8) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, took closer order in 4th from halfway, good progress into 2nd from 3 out and led before next where jumped right, ridden and reduced advantage run-in but always holding runner-up, won at Gowran Park 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Rhythm Divine (10-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Elimay (FR) 4-7fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, dropped to 5th 4 out, headway to dispute lead approaching straight, mistake and headed 2 out, pushed along and led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Jan beating Cut The Mustard (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Black Tears 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged turning in, led narrowly approaching last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, no extra near finish, 2nd of 25, 2 1/4l behind Dame De Compagnie (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
