tracked leaders on inner, 4th at 5th, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, 5th at 5th, mistake next, ridden in moderate 4th after 2 out, went moderate 2nd at last, kept on well under pressure run-in, not reach winner
led, clear at 3rd, headed 5th, weakened from 7th, behind when pulled up after 2 out
rear of mid-division, closer in mid-division at 4th, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 3rd at last, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 5th and made rest, ridden entering straight, stayed on well run-in
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, never a factor
always towards rear, ridden and no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 5th, 2nd and mistake 2 out, soon ridden, dropped to moderate 4th at last, no impression
always towards rear, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up after 2 out
always behind, ridden 4 out, soon no impression
MINELLA TILL DAWN (NAP) had made good ground under pressure to dispute the lead at the last with three others when taking a heavy fall in the Grade 2 at Fairyhouse won by Al Boum Photo. Whether he would have prevailed is unknown but, providing he's no worse for the mishap, he can gain compensation. Battleford, the dual championship bumper runner-up from last season, hasn't done as well as expected over hurdles though takes a drop in grade after a reasonable effort in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. His stable companion C'est Jersey was a 100/1 chance in the Albert Bartlett won by Penhill but ran much better than his finishing position suggests unlike Nicky Henderson's Baden, who was tailed off. Burgas, a very good third in a tough handicap here a year ago, wasn't suited by a spell of chasing and hasn't reverted to hurdles in the best of form while Milsean, once very promising for Willie Mullins, has lost his way and moved yards again.
Baden (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, ridden and weakened before last, tailed off, 11th of 15, dist behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Battleford 9-2fav (11-0) Held up rear of mid-division, stayed on approaching last, never going pace to get involved, 8th of 23, 15l behind Champagne Classic (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Beyond The Obvious (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden and no extra before straight, weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Miss Me Now (11-5) at Clonmel 2m Yielding in Nov.
Burgas (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, 8th from 6th, closed straight, kept on same pace from before last, 7th of 19, 14l behind Conduct Yourself (10-5) at Cork 2m 3f hcp gd in Apr.
C'Est Jersey (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, never on terms, weakened before last, 10th of 15, dist behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th 3 out, headway into 2nd and pushed along after 2 out, ridden run-in an stayed on well to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Apr beating Tamlough Boy (11-12) by 1/2l, 25 ran.
Highway Royal (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) In touch in rear, slight mistake 7th, closed up 5 out to track leader, pushed along from 3 out, dropped to last again into straight, no impression from before 2 out where slight mistake, no extra, last of 4, 18l behind Fire In His Eyes (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f gd in Nov.
Milsean (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Led and clear early, reduced advantage halfway, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened, 8th of 9, dist behind Sutton Place (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Minella Till Dawn (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear halfway, ridden into 5th entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, stayed on to dispute and every chance when fell last, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Theophilus (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th from 2nd, slightly slow 4th and pushed along briefly, lost place 3 out and pushed along again, no extra after, 8th of 10, 29l behind Adreamstillalive (10-1) at Limerick 2m hcp sft in Mar.
