held up in touch, not fluent jumping, pushed along from 3 out, soon no extra
disputed lead, headed and slight mistake 2nd, chased leaders after, moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon closed, challenged in 2nd approaching last where slight mistake, led and stayed on best from 100yds out
refused to jump off with the others and left hopelessly behind, completed in own time, completely tailed off
disputed lead, led 2nd, slight mistake 4th, joined before next, not fluent 2 out, gained narrow lead before straight, headed and kept on without matching winner from 100yds out
held up in touch, some slight mistakes and not fluent 6th, lost place and pushed along from 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off
tracked leaders, closed up 4th, on terms before next, narrowly headed before straight and pushed along, dropped to 3rd approaching last, no extra, one pace
towards rear, pushed along and some headway from 3 out, moderate 4th next, soon no impression, no extra and not fluent last
Labaik has always had the ability to win a big race and put his problems at the start behind when storming clear of MELON in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Festival with the front-running Cilaos Emery in fifth and both Pingshou and Bunk Off Early well beaten. The winner has a history of refusing to race and can't really be trusted to repeat and this is a much sharper track than Cheltenham. The runner-up was having only his second start and looked like winning for most of the race so he's taken to reverse the form, though those behind are greatly respected. Bunk Off Early had looked a class act when runner-up in the Deloitte at Leopardstown while Pingshou was much better suited to the easier track when landing a Grade 1 at Aintree. With the yard in outstanding form, it would be no surprise to see Naas Grade 2 winner Forge Meadow run well as she didn't appear at her best at Cheltenham but Peter The Mayo Man looks up against it.
Bunk Off Early (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, mistake 3 out, outpaced next, never on terms, weakened before last, 12th of 14, 36 3/4l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 4 out, driven and headed between last 2, no impression from last, 5th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Labaik (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Held up behind, steady headway after 3 out, close up next, led going well before last, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Melon (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Melon 3-1jfav (11-7) Tracked leaders, not clear run on inside after 2 out, driven to challenge before last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked clear leader, closer before 4 out, well there when lost 2nd 2 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd between last two, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind River Wylde (11-6) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Pingshou (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 3 out, kicked clear next, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr beating Mount Mews (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in touch on inside, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 16, 18l behind Let's Dance (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
