led, joined briefly 3rd and 4th, joined 3 out and led again after 2 out, pushed along and 2 lengths clear last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 7th, 4th halfway, progress on outer 2 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd before last, no extra run-in
tracked leader, disputed briefly 3rd and 4th, disputed again 3 out and headed next, pushed along and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, weakened
ran 5th, pushed along before 2 out and no impression in 4th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, weakened
Open Eagle, seven times a winner on the Flat, won a couple of minor races for Willie Mullins last season but hasn't been seen since Cheltenham last March. He looks the type to do better this year but Burgas, a decent handicapper over timber, has been chasing without showing much improvement. Woods Well looked one to follow when easily landing a Fairyhouse maiden but didn't jump with any fluency when tackling Grade 3 company at Clonmel and was well beaten. His stable also run Midnight Escape, a winning point-to-pointer and very impressive when landing a Naas maiden over 2m3f. The longer trip will be in his favour and he'll take some beating but SADLER'S RISK looks the one to be on. Henry De Bromhead's charge is better known as a chaser these days but has some smart form over hurdles and is suited by the race conditions.
Open Eagle (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, hit 7th, headway after 3 out, ridden and no impression after next, weakened before last, 8th of 19, 36 1/2l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Burgas (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd for most, ridden in moderate 3rd 3 out, soon no impression, dropped to remote 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 35 1/4l behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Woods Well (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leader, slight mistake 7th, close up and pressed leader after 5 out, disputed entering straight, ridden in 3rd before 2 out where slight mistake, soon no extra, 3rd of 6, 31 3/4l behind Monalee (11-2) at Clonmel 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Midnight Escape (IRE) 15-8fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to challenge after 2 out and led last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn sft in Feb beating Cracking Smart (11-11) by 1 3/4l, 24 ran.
Mannin Island (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Soon mid-division, moderate 8th at 8th, no extra from before 3 out, 7th of 18, dist behind Champagne Classic (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn sft in Feb.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped towards rear 12th, slight mistake and left 5th next, mistake 3 out and no impression when mistake next, went 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 21l behind Valseur Lido (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) gd in Nov.
Aunt Alice (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up early, chased leaders before 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to challenge 2 out, 2nd last, kept on and pressed leader run-in, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Star Power (10-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Sep.
