held up, 4th halfway, rear before 3 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened, completely tailed off
tracked leader, slight mistake 5th, 2nd halfway, travelled well to dispute 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 4th before last, stayed on run-in to go 2nd close home
led, joined and not fluent 3 out, soon reminders, slight mistake and ridden briefly 2 out, ridden and headed before last, mistake last, no extra and kept on one pace
held up, rear halfway, 4th and slight mistake 3 out, travelled well to challenge on outer early straight, pushed out to lead before last, soon asserted, stayed on strongly to go clear run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 3 out, ridden to dispute early straight, headed before last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
State Man was regarded by many as a banker off a mark of 141 at Cheltenham in the County Hurdle and duly obliged. He's been raised 10lb and is top-rated here for his first attempt at Grade 1 level though faces stronger opposition. Stable companion Kilcruit was put in his place by Constitution Hill in the Sky Bet Spreme Novices' Hurdle but that was no disgrace while Flame Bearer is progressing fast and has won two Grade 2's in recent weeks. Highland Charge is another on the upgrade though he only scrambled home in a Naas Grade 3. THREE STRIPE LIFE looks a viable alternative to the likely favourite as he twice chased home Sir Gerhard in Grade 1 company before landing the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree over slightly shorter.
Deploy The Getaway (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression after 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Flame Bearer (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Flame Bearer (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out and not clear run entering straight, close up when short of room on inner before last, switched left and kept on well run-in, led close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Ha D'Or (11-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Kilcruit (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 1st, pushed along after 4th, went 4th after next, left 3rd 3 out, no chance with winner, kept on to close on 2nd from last, 3rd of 9, 24 1/2l behind Constitution Hill (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
State Man (FR) 11-4fav (11-1) Held up rear of mid-division, travelled strongly, switched left before 2 out, headway stands side from final bend, led before last, quickened flat, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar beating First Street (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 26 ran.
Three Stripe Life (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Travelled well, chased leaders, steadied after 2nd, closed after 5th, led 3 out, in command from last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr beating Might I (11-4) by 4 3/4l, 12 ran.
Highland Charge (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, disputed before 2 out, ridden and edged left before last, led closing stages, edged slightly left and slightly bumped rival, all out, won at Naas 1m 7f (1) sft in Mar beating Vina Ardanza (11-1) by hd, 8 ran.
