chased leaders early, soon mid-division, progress into 4th 6f out, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out
held up, 9th halfway, progress into 6th 4f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 3f out, ridden and no impression on leaders 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, strongly pressed for 3rd close home
made all, ridden and pressed 2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
chased leaders early, mid-division after 4f, towards rear 5f out, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace straight
held up early, progress to chase leaders after 4f, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, no impression in 6th 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress 4f out, ridden into 5th 3f out, stayed on to challenge 2f out, under pressure in 2nd over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden under 3f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress entering straight, ridden into 7th 2f out, stayed on into 5th under 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just held for 3rd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th 3f out, no extra over 2f out
mid-division, ridden in rear 4f out, no impression and weakened, tailed off
Another brilliant race in prospect with stable companions BACARDYS and Battleford renewing rivalry again after their battles in the championship events at Cheltenham and Aintree. The former just had the edge at the latter course and though this is a more demanding track can do so again, though this is by no means a two-horse race. Aspen Colorado has long been regarded as a potentially top-class performer and the four-year-old has missed the rigours of the two big races so should strip fresh and well. He gets the age allowance and has to be greatly respected. David Pipe has at last got last year's Champion Bumper winner Moon Racer back on a racecourse. His three victories were all gained after long breaks so he's no forlorn hope to return to action with a victory. Castello Sforza and Blow By Blow also represent Willie Mullins and the former wasn't beaten far at Cheltenham in his first start for over a year so he could give his stablemates something to think about.
Articulum (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Close up in 2nd towards inner, on terms over 3f out travelling smoothly, led from early straight, asserted from 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f hvy in Mar beating Mighty Stowaway (11-7) by 5l, 7 ran.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, soon weakened, 12th of 23, 6 3/4l behind Ballyandy (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Bacardys (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to challenge on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Battleford (11-4) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Blow By Blow (IRE) 7-4 (11-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in straight, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out and soon asserted, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Death Duty (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, never on terms, 11th of 23, 5 3/4l behind Ballyandy (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Grotesque 8-13fav (12-0) Held up, soon towards rear, closed and stumbled slightly under 4f out, pushed along over 2f out and headway, challenged over 1f out, stayed on well to lead closing stages, won at Gowran Park 2m sft in Mar beating Blast Of Koeman (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Moon Racer (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Soon mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar beating Modus (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 23 ran.
Presenting Percy 1-2fav (12-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 6f out, pushed along to lead under 2f out, clear 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hvy in Apr beating Carrig Cathal (12-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Very Much So (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon driven to chase leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 8th of 23, 5l behind Ballyandy (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Aspen Colorado (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m sft in Feb beating Brelade (11-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
The Sneaky Punter (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, soon moderate 3rd, closed and on terms over 6f out, led over 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, kept on final furlong, won at Limerick 2m hvy in Mar beating Allardyce (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Battleford 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Bacardys (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Castello Sforza (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) In touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on into 4th towards finish, no impression, 4th of 23, 3l behind Ballyandy (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
