tracked leaders, pushed along and dropped towards rear 3 out, no extra in straight
tracked leaders, closer before 3 out and challenged early straight, ridden in 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner run-in
rear of mid-division, jumped left 3rd, headway on outer to dispute briefly 5th where slight mistake, slight mistake again next, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
rear of mid-division, mistake 2nd, slight mistake 5 out, closer 3 out, ridden and no impression after next, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 2nd and 5th, bad mistake 3 out and soon dropped to rear, no extra in straight
prominent and disputed lead, slight mistake and headed 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, no extra run-in
led or disputed lead, pushed along and headed 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra
held up towards rear, headway 3 out and led after next, wandered approaching last, drew clear run-in and stayed on well
Willie Mullins has three engaged in this handicap. Montalbano has been racing in very strong handicaps since scoring on heavy going at Gowran in January and will appreciate the drop in class. Townshend won a novice chase at this fixture a year ago and is another who has been mixing it in better company. ASTHURIA looks the stable pick as he appears well handicapped on his good third behind the brilliant Footpad in the Grade 1 Ryanair at the Festival here last month. Woodland Opera won a Grade 2 here in November but hasn't quite made the expected progress nor has Draycott Place and he had a run over hurdles last week. It's almost two years since Mr Fiftyone beat Devils Bride here and neither arrive in top form.
Devils Bride (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Raced in 8th early, no extra approaching straight, 14th of 18, dist behind Patricks Park (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Soon towards rear, not fluent 6th, bumped 7th, not a factor after, 9th of 18, dist behind Patricks Park (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Montalbano 25-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, 10th approaching halfway, some headway when not fluent 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 18, dist behind Kemboy (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Townshend (GER) 12-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, 14th 4 out, ridden from next, no impression, bad mistake 2 out, 9th of 24, 27 3/4l behind Cadmium (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Mr Fiftyone (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, 13th 4 out, headway from next, ridden in 6th 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 24, 10 1/2l behind Cadmium (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Asthuria (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, mistake 7th and dropped to 4th, ridden in 5th after 3 out, went moderate 3rd at last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Footpad (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Draycott Place (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led early, headed after 1st and settled in 2nd, disputed lead briefly from 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra in 6th from before last, 6th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Tornado Watch (11-8) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp sft in May.
Supreme Vinnie (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and rear, pushed along briefly 4f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, soon no extra, last of 12, 12 1/2l behind She's A Star (8-10) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Usa (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Towards rear, took keen hold and headway to lead at 4th, headed 5 out, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last, at Ballinrobe 2m 3f hcp hvy in May.
