led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and disputed before next, headed after 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
bad mistake 1st, soon mid-division, towards rear and pulled up before 5th
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into close 2nd 3 out, disputed before next, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on well from before last
chased leader in 2nd, disputed briefly approaching halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, no extra and kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway into moderate 6th entering straight, ridden in 4th and no impression 2 out, kept on same pace from before last to go 3rd run-in
The useful Finger Onthe Pulse hasn't been seen since Cheltenham in December and is probably warming up for the Galway Festival where he won last year. Wise Old Owl is incredibly consistent but over much longer trips and hasn't run since October while Dundrum appeared suited by 2m4f and soft ground when last seen at Down Royal in February. Carrigmartin is another who needs further while the novice Kilflora was struggling when falling at Fairyhouse last time. Gracchus was presented with his race on his chasing bow at Cork where his jumping was novicey so this can go to BATTLEFRONT, who likes it around here having scored twice over the C&D early last year and looked on the way back with a good run behind Dr Whizz earlier in the month.
Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up, always behind, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind Poquelin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Wise Old Owl (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, 8th halfway, headway in 6th 6 out, 2nd and slight mistake 5 out, led 3 out, headed before next, travelled well to lead narrowly early straight, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 15, nk behind Got Attitude (10-10) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Oct.
Dundrum (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 5 out, improved to dispute before 2 out where led, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase in Feb beating Hughies Grey (11-12) by 7l, 18 ran.
Carrigmartin (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along before 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace, 6th of 24, 16l behind Shakalakaboomboom (10-13) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145.
Kilflora 7-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, close 7th 4 out, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression when fell last, in a race won by Un Hinged (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Battlefront (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Prominent throughout, challenged straight, lost place and no impression under pressure 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Dr Whizz (10-8) at Punchestown 2m Ext hcp chs gs.
Gracchus (USA) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, moderate 2nd from before straight, left in front 3 out and in command after, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m beg chs gd in Apr beating Attycran (11-7) by 19l, 11 ran.
Predateur (FR) 22-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, headway after 11th, no impression, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 10, 40l behind Mohi Rahrere (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Oct.
