soon prominent, no impression under pressure from before last, soon kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, a bit slow 3 out, soon no extra
led, attempted to assert 3 out, joined last, soon in front again and stayed on well
soon towards rear, moderate last 6 out, slight peck next, soon no extra
waited with towards rear, wide and effort straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 3rd and effort 2 out, challenged and on terms last, headed and kept on well run-in, drifted left closing stages, not quite get back to winner
Maggie Connolly was well beaten at Naas last time but the combination of quicker ground and a much longer trip could bring about some improvement. Adams Island last ran over hurdles at Leopardstown in December where he ran very well to finish third to Jetson in a tough handicap. He hasn't had much chance over fences since and is expected to go well back over timber without beating BERTIES DREAM. Henry De Bromhead's charge, who regularly competed at the highest level over timber and won the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in 2010, has been running quite well over fences this winter but back on his favoured quick ground can make a winning return to the smaller obstacles. Beckett Rock has been running well in handicaps but would prefer more give in the ground.
Beckett Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, some headway 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression from 2 out and kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 6l behind Paddy Pub (10-7) at Naas 3m hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Feb.
Adams Island (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, went prominent 6th, mistake 14th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 19th of 23, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Berties Dream (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Soon led, pressed and slight mistake 3 out, joined and jumped right next, soon headed but still a chance when bad mistake last, no extra and eased after, 5th of 7, 33l behind Lion Na Bearnai (11-3) at Navan 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Copsiano (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leader on inner, disputed halfway and led from 9th, joined 3 out, soon headed and no extra, weakened early straight, 13th of 16, well behind Vast Consumption (10-12) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Feb.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 16th, in a race won by Balthazar King (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Empire Theatre (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, no impression from 3 out, 6th of 16, 13l behind Afram Blue (10-0) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Mar.
Dog Barrel Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leader in 2nd, closer 4 out, still well in touch when short of room and ran out approaching 3 out, in a race won by Clashnabrook (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mares nov hcp hdl 0-100 in Feb, 9 ran.
Baily Rock (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, no extra from early straight, 10th of 16, 44l behind Vast Consumption (10-12) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Feb.
Maggie Connolly (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 19th of 22, 23l behind Up For The Match (9-13) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 in Mar.
