made all, went clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily, impressive
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
slightly hampered at start and went slightly left, held up behind leaders, closer in 5th at 4th, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind leaders, ridden 3 out, 5th next, moderate 4th entering straight, kept on without threatening to go 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along when mistake 5th and dropped to 5th, ridden 3 out, moderate 6th entering straight, kept on one paced from last
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 2 out, 3rd briefly entering straight, kept on same pace in 2nd from last
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden from next, no impression straight
jinked left at start and slowly into stride, held up in rear, in touch in last but plenty to do when fell 2 out
FAUGHEEN was one of the most impressive winners at Cheltenham though his victory was achieved over 2m5f and he's never run at this trip over hurdles. While that wasn't the strongest of races at the Festival he could hardly have done it any better and will take all the beating. Sgt Reckless couldn't match the pace of Vautour at Cheltenham nor Josses Hill at Aintree but this is his trip and looks certain to get competitive. The selection's stablemate Valseur Lido was behind Sgt Reckless at Cheltenham but did better at Fairyhouse where he comfortably saw off the challenge of Real Steel with the very disappointing Wicklow Brave well beaten. Western Boy and The Liquidator are both held on Cheltenham form.
Faugheen (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out where not fluent, led and hit 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar beating Ballyalton (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Quickpick Vic (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, carried left 2nd and 3rd, dropped towards rear 4 out, weakened after next, soon eased, tailed off,, 7th of 9, well behind Valseur Lido (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
Real Steel (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, jumped left, pressed when jumped left again and not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last where mistake, no extra and kept on same pace run-in,, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Valseur Lido (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
Sgt Reckless 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, closed 3 out, challenged before next and soon upsides winner, driven before last, no impression and readily held final 150 yards, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Josses Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs.
The Liquidator 12-1 (11-7) Pressed winner, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, soon lost place, weakened flat, 11th of 18, 12l behind Vautour (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Valseur Lido (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Held up, slight mistake 2nd, closer order to chase leaders from before 3 out, improved into 3rd entering straight, challenged on inner in 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in,, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft beating Real Steel (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Western Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division in touch, effort on outside after 2 out, one pace approaching last, no impression flat, 7th of 18, 10l behind Vautour (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Wicklow Brave 5-4fav (11-4) Held up, soon in mid-division, closed approaching 3 out, moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression in 4th, no extra 2 out,, 6th of 9, 37l behind Valseur Lido (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
