tracked leaders, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, ridden next, dropped to 6th before last, no extra
soon led, joined 6th, ridden and headed next, weakened entering straight, eased run-in
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, ridden in 8th 2 out, weakened
always towards rear, pushed along 2 out, no impression, never a factor
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, checked briefly entering straight, no impression
mid-division, closer in 6th 2 out, soon ridden, 7th at last, no impression
mid-division, 9th on outer 2 out, ridden entering straight, no impression
mid-division, 13th 2 out, headway entering straight, ridden in 3rd approaching last, 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner
mid-division, 10th 2 out, headway into 4th entering straight, led travelling well at last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
towards rear, pushed along in moderate 14th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden in 7th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 2 out, weakened
rear of mid-division, pushed along briefly on outer 3 out, progress after 2 out, checked entering straight, pushed along in 7th before last, 4th when mistake at last, ridden in 3rd inside final furlong, kept on well, never nearer
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th after 2 out, 4th at last, no impression
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, eased straight
Willie Mullins has four entries and Gordon Elliott three. The progressive Bialystok should go well though Tax For Max ran well in this last year and looks to have had the race as his target. Tekao pulled too hard when fancied at Cheltenham while Fils D'oudairies is expected to produce a big run for Elliott with Danny Gilligan's claim a massive plus. BRAZIL is a smart performer on the Flat and over timber who won the Boodles at Cheltenham a year ago. A recent run on the level will have put him straight for this and he's taken to get back on the winning trail. Merlin Giant looks a threat after his victory in a Grade A handicap at Fairyhouse though a 13lb rise makes this tougher.
Fils D'oudairies (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake and pecked 3rd, dropped to 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Mister Policeman (11-7) at Cork 2m Yielding in Apr.
Cash Back (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Led, pushed along and strongly pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Mister Policeman (11-7) at Cork 2m Yielding in Apr.
Lucky Max (GER) 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered after 1st, pushed along and headway 3 out, 7th next, ridden in 6th at last, kept on, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind L'yser (10-8) at Cork 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Brazil (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression early straight, kept on inside final furlong, never a factor, 10th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Cristal Clere (10-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp hvy in Apr.
Grand Roi (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out,, 9th of 26, 14 1/4l behind Langer Dan (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Merlin Giant (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked clear leader, moderate 3rd at 4th, took closer order in 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, ran on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec beating Pinkerton (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Path D'oroux (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up rear of mid-division, outpaced 2 out, well beaten when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Annexation (FR) 11-1 (11-11) Rear, a little keen, moderate 7th after 2nd, progress to moderate 5th after 3 out, stayed on in moderate 4th 2 out where left moderate 3rd, kept on run-in, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 11 3/4l behind Doyen Ta Win (10-0) at Wexford 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Tax For Max (GER) 14-1 (11-8) Disputed briefly, soon settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, lost position 3 out, ridden into 6th 2 out, no impression before last where slight mistake, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Bialystok (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 6th 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden in 3rd at last, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, all out, won at Naas 1m 7f mdn Yielding in Feb beating Thecompanysergeant (11-12) by hd, 21 ran.
Glan (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression entering straight, pulled up quickly before 2 out, at Listowel 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Telecon 14-1 (11-9) Chased leader, moderate 7th halfway, good headway before straight and 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and led after 2 out, soon asserted and 4 lengths clear when mistake last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Ages Of Man (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 19 ran.
Man O Work (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, reminders after 3 out (normal 4 out), weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
One Last Tango (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd travelling well approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and ridden after last, kept on well but always held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Henning (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding in Feb.
Tekao (FR) 3-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place and in mid-division after 4th, bad mistake 3 out, towards rear and no chance after, went badly left next, 19th of 21, 34 1/4l behind Jazzy Matty (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Hey Johnny (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Mid-division, progress into 5th entering straight, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out where slight mistake, soon no extra, 10th of 16, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Captains Nephew (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Disputed briefly, soon tracked leader and close up, 2nd halfway, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, joined before 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Watch The Weather 16-1 (10-3) Towards rear, slight mistake 5th, some headway to track leaders after 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, 9th of 14, 22 1/4l behind L'yser (10-8) at Cork 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Apr.
