led after 1st, joined after 7th, soon led again, pushed along straight and soon strongly pressed, kept on well run-in, headed close home
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4 out, 3rd 3 out, no impression straight, soon no extra
held up, 5th at 4th, closed and not fluent 4 out, disputed 4th 3 out, improved to challenge on outer straight, close 2nd from 2 out, edged right and stayed on well run-in to lead close home
tracked leaders, slightly slow 2nd, 6th at 4th, pushed along 7th, last 4 out, no impression from before next, tailed off
disputed lead early, tracked leaders, tended to jump slightly right, on terms after 7th, 2nd when mistake 4 out, disputed 4th next, no impression straight, kept on same pace
held up, soon in rear, closed 7th, slightly impeded 4 out, 2nd 3 out, challenged straight, no impression from 2 out, soon no extra
disputed lead, fell 1st
in rear, not fluent and hampered 1st, rider without irons, pulled up before 2nd
disputed lead early, not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, took keen hold, 4th when not fluent 4th, collided with wing 6th, lost place next, no impression from before 3 out, soon no extra
Ruby Walsh has chosen CHAMPAGNE FEVER over Felix Yonger and Twinlight despite a poor run behind Don Cossack at Aintree. His mount's form has been erratic at best and he was well beaten when strongly fancied at this meeting a year ago but he's had plenty of triumphs and was giving Don Cossack a tough time when falling at the last at Thurles in January, form that would be good enough for this. Felix Yonger has been in superb form and had Mallowney a nose behind at Cork in December when conceding 6lb so should again take care of that one while Twinlight beat the latter easily at Fairyhouse last time but had been behind Hidden Cyclone over this course and distance in February. The latter didn't stay the 2m5f of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and back over his best trip can get involved. Sizing Europe, who won this last year and in 2012, can never be written off though it will be a shock if he can pull it off again.
Baily Green (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led, clear at stages, not fluent 8th, pressed 2 out and slight mistake, headed approaching last, kept on same pace run-in,, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Gold Bullet (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs sft.
Champagne Fever (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, switched outside approaching 4 out, in touch when blundered next, soon one pace, no chance with leaders after, 4th of 10, 33l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) Held up behind leaders on inner, 6th halfway, pushed along briefly 8th, progress and pushed along entering straight, headway to lead 2 out, went clear when bad mistake last, ridden and kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f chs G2 (1) hvy in Mar beating Argocat (11-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Flemenstar (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Disputed lead, not fluent 1st and 4th, led from 7th, joined briefly 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 20l behind Felix Yonger (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f chs G2 (1) hvy in Mar.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked winner, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, lost 2nd after 3 out, edged left before 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 25l behind Uxizandre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Mallowney (IRE) 1-2fav (11-10) Led, headed 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 6th, regained 2nd after 7th, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, ridden after 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, no impression run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Oscar Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, made all, clear after 1st until jumped right 2nd, ridden and 1 length up when left clear last, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Mar beating Mister Grez (11-5) by 8l, 6 ran.
Savello (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, bad mistake 1st, progress into 2nd at 6th, mistake next and reminders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened, last of 3, 29l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Twinlight (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 2nd, strongly pressed 3 out, soon disputed, slightly awkward 2 out, soon ridden, asserted before last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft beating Mallowney (11-10) by 7l, 3 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd next, mistake 8th, lost place before 4 out, well beaten next, 7th of 9, 31l behind Dodging Bullets (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
