a little keen early, chased leaders in 3rd, closed approaching straight travelling smoothly, ridden to challenge under 2f out, every chance final furlong, kept on without matching winner closing stages
chased leader, improved to get on terms approaching straight, soon led, headed inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd and kept on without matching 1st 2 closing stages
led and went on, reduced lead and joined approaching straight, soon headed and no extra, one pace
mid-division early, soon raced in 6th, under pressure from 6f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off
chased leaders in 4th, 5th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division early, soon raced in 5th, 4th approaching straight, challenged and led inside final furlong between horses, stayed on best
soon raced in 7th, pushed along 5f out, no extra approaching straight
held up, soon raced in 9th, pushed along 4f out and no impression, moderate 7th approaching straight, one pace
soon raced in 8th, progress over 5f out, pushed along approaching straight in 6th, soon no impression, one pace
held up, soon in rear, some headway under pressure 4f out, moderate 8th approaching straight, kept on without threatening
Patrick Mullins had a choice of four here and has come up with BLACKBOW, as he did in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when only fifth behind stable companion Relegate with Carefully Selected and Tornado Flyer also in front of him. The winner, who had been last for most of the race, came with a wet sail to snatch the verdict after the runner-up set a modest pace and it wouldn't be a surprise if any of the quartet came up trumps here though a likely faster gallop will suit the selection. Felix Desjy was also involved at Cheltenham where he finished eighth but looked to have had every chance so Gordon Elliott could do better with the progressive Getaway John, who has completed a double in fine style since beaten narrowly by Tornado Flyer at Fairyhouse.
Blackbow (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division in touch, tracked leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 5th of 23, 5 3/4l behind Relegate (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Carefully Selected (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Smartly away, led, ridden over 1f out, edged right under pressure inside final furlong, headed inside final 100 yards, kept on, just held near finish, 2nd of 23, nk behind Relegate (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Felix Desjy (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, tracked leaders going well 3f out, went 2nd turning in, ridden over 1f out, lost place and faded inside final furlong, 6th of 23, 7 1/2l behind Relegate (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Getaway John (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Soon led, joined briefly approaching halfway, still travelling smoothly straight, pushed along from 2f out, ridden out and stayed on well final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Apr beating Brace Yourself (11-11) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rapid Escape (IRE) 3-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, under pressure approaching straight, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 21l behind Blackbow (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, readily outpaced by front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 23, 3 1/2l behind Relegate (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Where Eagles Dare (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to challenge 2 1/2f out, led travelled well 1 1/2f out, asserted 1f out, ridden and kept on strongly inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m hvy in Apr beating Vent D'Automne (12-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Relegate (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and still plenty to do 3f out, headway on outside under pressure turning in, soon ridden, went 2nd when edged left inside final furlong, ran on, led inside final 100 yards, held on, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Carefully Selected (11-5) by nk, 23 ran.
Dorking Boy 11-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) hvy in Apr beating Akarita Lights (10-8) by 6l, 9 ran.
Young Ted (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up, 8th approaching halfway, improved to chase leader approaching straight, soon closed travelling smoothly, led over 1f out, quickly asserted, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m hvy in Mar beating Eagle Roque (11-7) by 14l, 12 ran.
