chased leaders, not fluent and almost unseated rider 3rd, lost position and towards rear after, under pressure and no impression approaching straight, one pace
prominent, took keen hold, disputed lead at times early, led before 2 out, soon asserted, a little slow and jumped slightly right last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
waited with in rear, some headway and slight mistake 6th, 3rd and under pressure approaching straight, soon one pace
tracked leaders, lost position and pulled up quickly approaching 5th
soon disputed lead, led after 8th, headed before 2 out, soon no impression, one pace
soon disputed lead, under pressure and headed after 8th, weakened approaching straight
pushed along briefly early, soon chased leaders, jumped right 5th and did so from there home, not go with leaders from 8th and under pressure, one pace approaching straight
The return to action and chasing debut of BRAHMA BULL has been eagerly awaited. Willie Mullins' charge was unbeaten in three bumpers in 2017 before landing the odds on his hurdling bow at Thurles. His next two runs were behind Samcro and Next Destination at Grade 1 level and with a cracking pedigree for chasing he looks a very smart recruit. Bootlegger won a maiden hurdle at Thurles before well beaten in a tough handicap at Fairyhouse but Western Honour looks a more likely threat. Gordon Elliott's charge has won a point-to-point and scored twice over hurdles and has the benefit of a run over fences at Cork last month. High Sparrow, a winning bumper and hurdler, is bred for chasing so is one to look out for.
Bootlegger (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, ridden in moderate 11th entering straight, no impression, 10th of 23, dist behind Ronald Pump (11-6) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Brahma Bull (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up, 7th from 5th, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 6th of 11, 28 1/2l behind Next Destination (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Braize (FR) 5-1fav (11-4) Waited with, not fluent 5th, 14th at 6th, headway and effort on outer straight, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra, 11th of 17, dist behind Scotch Quay (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp gd in Mar.
Dawn Raider (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Soon raced in 2nd, closed up before 8th where slight mistake, soon on terms, headed and lost place approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 10, 21l behind Smoking Gun (11-8) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
The Mulcare Rover (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, headway to lead briefly 2nd, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute lead 3 out, pushed along and led narrowly after next, headed last and no impression run-in, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind You Can't Catch Me (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f gd in Mar.
Tin Soldier (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Cap York (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Western Honour (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Soon prominent, 2nd from 6th, slight mistake 2 out, switched right from before last where jumped right and one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Beyond The Law (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Duke Of Kilcorral (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, not always fluent jumping, 7th from 6th, 8th when fell 4 out, at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
High Sparrow (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden before 2 out, disputed after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 23, 13 1/4l behind Cuneo (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Half The Odds (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along in 6th before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 12, 7 1/2l behind Out Of The Loop (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
