tracked leaders on outer, 2nd at 3rd, mistake next, weakened quickly 3 out, in rear when stumbled next
in rear, mistake 5th, some progress and ridden 2 out, moderate 8th entering straight, went 5th at last, no impression
towards rear, headway from 3 out, went 4th next, 3rd travelling well entering straight, pushed along to dispute lead before last, ridden to lead after last, stayed on well
led, joined 3 out, soon pushed along, headed next and ridden, weakened entering straight
tracked leader in 2nd early, 3rd at 3rd, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, bumped briefly after 3rd, progress into 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd before last, bad mistake at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, ridden in 4th 3 out, 5th and slight mistake next, weakened
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 4 out and briefly pushed along, ridden in 8th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, progress into 2nd after 4 out, disputed lead next, led 2 out, ridden and joined before last, headed after last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
in rear, progress into 6th 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th entering straight, went 4th at last, no extra
What should prove an epic battle for the trainer's title begins here with GETABIRD taken to get Willie Mullins off to a winning start. He had Mengli Khan eight lengths behind when landing a Grade 2 here in January and started a short-priced favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham. However, he was soon done with after leading to three out that day and was swamped with Mengli Khan going on to finish an excellent third, just in front of Paloma Blue. However, he proved his Festival effort to be all wrong when sauntering clear of Draconien, Hardline and Sharjah at Fairyhouse and will take the world of beating. Whiskey Sour had all the luck in the world when landing the Future Champions at Leopardstown but has continued to run well while Colin Tizzard sends the progressive Aintree runner-up Vision Des Flos from the UK and it would be no shock to see him in the money.
Beyond The Law (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place and dropped away quickly after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Cartwright 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 5th, 3rd 3 out, 2nd next and soon ridden, improved to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, all out inside final furlong, won at Navan 2m lst (1) hvy in Mar beating Articulum (11-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Draconien (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, took keen hold, 7th after 2nd, improved to chase leaders before 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd and kept on without troubling winner from last, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Getabird (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Apr.
Getabird (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Made all, slight mistake 2 out, soon asserted and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Apr beating Draconien (11-4) by 12l, 9 ran.
Hardline (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Soon raced in 2nd, no impression from 2 out, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 9, 13 3/4l behind Getabird (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Apr.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden to challenge and every chance last, kept on until no extra in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 19, 2l behind Summerville Boy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Paloma Blue (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven to chase front pair after 2 out, one pace in 4th last, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final 100 yards, always held, 4th of 19, 3l behind Summerville Boy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Sharjah (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Soon raced in 3rd, no impression from 2 out, soon 4th and one pace, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Getabird (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Apr.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along and closed when unsighted and jumped right 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Lalor (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Whiskey Sour (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway after 2 out, led last, headed flat, held after, kept on, 3rd of 24, 3 1/2l behind Mohaayed (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
