soon tracked leader, 3rd at 6th, 4th 3 out, soon 3rd, no impression after 3 out, weakened before last
made virtually all, pressed 4 out, increased advantage before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, easily
soon tracked leader, dropped to rear before 4th, 4th at 7th, not fluent at 8th, niggled along after 4 out, progress to 3rd 3 out where slight mistake, soon 4th, weakened 2 out where not fluent
in touch on outer, niggled along after 3rd, not fluent at 5th and reminders, 4th at 6th, dropped to rear at 7th and reminders, detached at 8th, pulled up before 9th
soon tracked leader, 2nd at 6th, challenged leader 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression on leader after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
Unexpected Depth finished a close fourth in this a year ago after a superb run in a Grade B handicap at Leopardstown. He hasn't quite hit the heights so far this campaign but has been racing in strong handicap company. Crosshill reverts to hurdles after well beaten over fences at Leopardstown. Runner-up in a Grade B handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse a year ago, he's still young enough to make further progress. The latter remark also applies to GENTLEMANSGAME, who has been bumping into some smart performers since winning his only start between the flags. Runner-up in a Leopardstown Grade 1 just over a year ago, he can get back on the winning trail. Winning bumper and hurdler Column Of Fire has been chasing without any luck while Whirling Dervish has also been well beaten over fences recently.
Crosshill (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Close up, jumped right at 4th, no impression on clear leader before 8th where not fluent, jumped right at 9th, dropped to moderate 4th at 10th, lost place at next, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Galopin Des Champs (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec.
Gentlemansgame 7-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Royal Kahala (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Blast Of Koeman (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, towards rear 6 out, good headway on inner after 2 out and went 5th at last, no impression and kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 15, 9 3/4l behind Midnight Maestro (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Feb.
Column Of Fire (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st and not fluent next, 5th halfway, reminders 8th, pushed along and dropped to rear 5 out, no danger from next, well behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Wexford 3m 1f hvy in Mar.
Unexpected Depth (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and no impression before next, kept on one pace in straight, never a factor, 9th of 24, 14 1/4l behind Good Time Jonny (10-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Feb.
Whirling Dervish 16-1 (11-12) In rear, slow 1st, 5th when slow 5 out, 4th when slow 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression in 4th when bad mistake last, no extra, 4th of 6, dist behind Egality Mans (11-12) at Wexford 3m 1f hvy in Mar.
