made all, ridden and challenged entering straight, asserted over 1f out, reduced advantage and pressed inside final furlong, stayed on again close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 4f out, weakened
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge entering straight, under pressure in 2nd over 1f out, kept on again to press leader inside final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division early, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 4f out, ridden entering straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out, closer inside final furlong, no extra closing stages
settled behind leaders early, 8th halfway, weakened 6f out, eased before straight, completely tailed off and virtually pulled up straight
always behind, trailing after halfway, completely tailed off and virtually pulled up straight
mid-division, 6th and pushed along 6f out, ridden and no extra 5f out, weakened and eased before straight, completely tailed off and virtually pulled up straight
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 4f out, no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, headway in moderate 6th 5f out, ridden and no impression 4f out, weakened
held up towards rear, moderate 8th 5f out, ridden and no impression 4f out, kept on one pace straight to poor 4th inside final furlong
Noel Meade has won this three times in recent years and Fickle Fortune looked a very nice prospect when scoring at Down Royal though the form hasn't worked out all that well. Champagne Fever battled on strongly to hold off New Year's Eve in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and, though this sharper track should suit the Flat-bred runner-up, the testing ground is in favour of the winner. The pair appear certain to be in the shake-up but Champagne Fever's only defeat was by Thomas Edison at Leopardstown in December and that winner was put in his place by VENTURE CAPITAL at Fairyhouse. Philip Fenton's charge has been saved for this by his astute handler and though he'll need to improve he should have no problems on that score. Clonbanan Lad went to Cheltenham with a good chance after beating Mozoltov at Naas but got outpaced on the quick ground and today's conditions will be more to his liking.
Champagne Fever (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Made all, ridden and hard pressed from over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar beating New Year's Eve (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 20 ran.
Clonbanan Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out,, 12th of 20, 22l behind Champagne Fever (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Melodic Rendezvous 7-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway before 4f out, led before 2f out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar beating Turanjo Bello (11-3) by 4l, 16 ran.
Mozoltov 11-8fav (12-0) Settled last of the 5, 4th into straight, ridden into 3rd under 2f out, led under 1f out, stayed on best inside final furlong to draw on, won at Limerick 2m 3f N H flat hvy in Mar beating Ted Veale (12-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Venture Capital (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Always prominent, led from halfway, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec beating Bright New Dawn (11-2) by 3l, 14 ran.
Shu Lewis (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, distance behind leader at halfway, ridden and dropped to rear 5f out, kept on one paced straight without ever threatening, 4th of 7, 21l behind Don Cossack (11-11) at Navan 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
New Year's Eve 9-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4f out, tracked winner over 2f out, ridden to challenge on inside over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Champagne Fever (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
As I Am (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Eleven Fifty Nine (11-1) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd.
Fickle Fortune (IRE) 8-11fav (10-7) Settled in rear of mid-division on outer, headway to challenge between horses when short of room and hampered under 2f out, smooth headway to lead early final furlong, kept on well, very easily, won at Down Royal 2m N H flat hvy in Feb beating Los Amigos (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Summer Star (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Waited with towards rear, closed to chase leaders approaching straight, challenged and led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, won at Limerick 2m 4yo nhf (1) gd beating Lady Of Glencoe (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Young Palm (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway to go 2nd over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan beating Howaboutnow (11-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure final 2f out, no impression, 8th of 20, 12l behind Champagne Fever (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
