settled in mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 4 out, good progress to challenge after 2 out, led travelling best early straight, 2 lengths advantage early run-in, ridden to hold on closing stages
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, led briefly after 2 out, headed under pressure early straight, no impression from before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden to go 3rd briefly entering straight, no impression under pressure from before last
towards rear, moderate 6th approaching straight, kept on well under pressure from before last without reaching leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, not jump fluently, mistake 4th, disputed lead approaching 3 out, headed next and soon no extra, weakened
towards rear, 7th halfway, headway into 4th entering straight, ridden to go 2nd at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
tracked leaders on inner in 3rd, pulled up quickly injured before 7th, dismounted
led, strongly pressed and joined 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon no extra under pressure, weakened
Jumbo Rio hasn't won since landing a novices' Listed contest at Clonmel last May but he's normally to be seen in better contests than this including behind Hurricane Fly in the Hatton's Grace last time where he finished just in front of On The Way Out, another who generally competes at a higher level. Made In Taipan is a chaser who fell in the Grand National when last seen but Stonemaster is a progressive hurdler and will have come on for his comeback at Navan a couple of weeks ago where he made Rigour Back Bob pull out all the stops. SECANT STAR is only a four-year-old and will need to have made great strides since landing a maiden hurdle at Gowran in January to beat these useful and experienced rivals. However, he can take this as he looks a real find for Willie Mullins and would have been unbeaten but for falling at Leopardstown at this time a year ago.
Jumbo Rio (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, challenged briefly approaching straight, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 11, 13l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Stonemaster (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, soon ridden to lead, challenged 2 out, headed before last, kept on in 3rd run-in, 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Rigour Back Bob (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft.
Lucky William (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 4 out, no impression in 6th when brought down 2 out, in a race won by Jessies Dream (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft, 9 ran.
Heavenly Blues (GER) 5-2fav (11-6) Soon led, headed after 7th, remained prominent, no extra straight, 5th of 12, 30l behind Powerstation (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl hvy in Oct '08.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mistakes 1st and 2nd, behind when fell 5th, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
On The Way Out (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Towards rear, some headway approaching straight, moderate 8th after 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 16l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Secant Star (FR) 2-5fav (11-0) Made virtually all, novicey jump 3 out, clear after next, not fluent last, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Capellanus (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Splurge (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 4 out, moderate 3rd entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 12, 48l behind Wicklow Lad (9-12) at Thurles 2m 2f cond hcp chs 0-109 sft in Nov.
Bacher Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, closer entering straight, ridden 2 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 7, 19l behind Fully Funded (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
