in rear, 3rd before 3rd, slight mistakes 5th and 6th, dropped to last from 4 out, mistake next, soon pushed along, no impression from 2 out, disputing 3rd when fell last
2nd when not fluent 1st, raced in 3rd, last before 3rd, closed up from 8th, prominent from 4 out, pushed along from next, challenged 2 out, soon disputed lead, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
led, clear early, pushed along from 3 out, pressed 2 out and not fluent, soon headed and no impression in 3rd when switched left between last 2, one pace
soon raced in 2nd, not fluent 4 out, travelling smoothly from 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon disputed lead, led and stayed on best run-in
FIRST LIEUTENANT very rarely ventures outside of Grade 1 company over fences and looks as though he's having a confidence-booster here before Aintree. He does have two Grade 1 victories over hurdles to his credit, though that was a while ago, including a short-head victory over Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham. He should win this though Rolly Baby is an interesting entry. Willie Mullins' charge is a 10-year-old but has had just five runs in his career. He had almost two years on the sidelines after a very impressive victory here in 2013 and wouldn't still be with the champion trainer unless thought capable of producing the goods. Archie Meade alternates between hurdles and fences and, though not the most consistent of performers, would have a chance on his close second to Mydor at Leopardstown in January where he was attempting to concede almost a stone. Gold Patrol hasn't been in the best of form and isn't suited by the race conditions.
Gold Patrol (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Mid-division, stumbled on landing at 4th, ridden in 7th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 20l behind Forever Gold (10-10) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl in Feb.
Archie Meade (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Held up, last from 6th, slight mistake 7th, switched left out wide before 9th, detached from 10th, progress 4 out, tracked leaders before straight, still chasing leaders 2 out, 5th at last and no impression, one pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Toon River (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs in Feb.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 6th before 2 out, no extra approaching last, last of 8, 24l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Feb.
Rolly Baby (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden before last where 3rd, no extra run-in, kept on one pace, 7th of 17, 7l behind Fletcher (10-11) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl.
