towards rear, improved before 9th, hit 11th, disputing 2nd when pecked last, kept on same pace run-in
close up and disputed lead, not fluent 4th, slight mistake 5 out, no impression from between last 2, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, jumped right 3rd and 4th, slight mistake 6th and a little slow 7th, dropped to rear and pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression
towards rear, slight mistakes 9th and 3 out, pushed along in 7th approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace
led and disputed, slightly slow 1st, jumped right, attempted to assert from between last 2, reduced lead last, strongly pressed, kept on run-in, headed close home
chased leaders, under pressure before straight, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
chased leaders, jumped slightly right 2nd, slow jump 7th, pushed along approaching straight, closed last, stayed on well run-in, led close home
tracked leaders, slightly slow 6th, mistake 10th and pushed along briefly, pushed along again approaching straight, no impression from 2 out, one pace
This has been won by some smart young hunters in the past though there doesn't look to be a Mossey Joe in this year's line-up. Noel Meade has few runners at this level so the presence of Tiger Sam is intriguing while Jimmy Mangan's Doctor Braveheart may be capable of better. Mountain Philip definitely improved when scoring at Ballynoe in March but had earlier been around 13 lengths behind ISLAND MASTER at Tattersalls Park. The winner hasn't scored subsequently but wasn't beaten far in a similar race to this at Cork last month and looks the one to be on. Celtic Thunder has won two of his four starts between the flags and is young enough to make further progress.
Blackwood Rover (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In rear, soon detached, closer in 7th at 23rd, moderate 6th approaching straight, one pace, 5th of 11, 23l behind Wish Ye Didnt (11-0) at Punchestown 3m hnt chs gd in Apr.
Celtic Thunder (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Pr, 1l 2nd 1/2way, 2l dwn 2out, rdn in 1l 2nd sn aftr, eff to jn ldr last, wo with gd jmp, all out at line, won at Durrow 3m ire ptp sft in Mar beating Blackwood Rover (12-2) by nk, 4 ran.
Doctor Braveheart (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Settled in mid-division, improved to take closer order before 3 out, ridden approaching next, 4th before last and kept on well run-in without matching winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Definite Surprise (11-9) at Cork 3m hts chs in Apr.
Fly West (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Rr of mid div, prog 6out, 5th 4out, rddn & prog in 4th aftr 2out, cl 3rd bef last & jnd 2nd cl home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Milan Quartet (12-2) at Dawstown 3m ire ptp gd.
Island Master (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Soon disputed, headed after 1st but remained prominent, not fluent 2nd and dropped to 3rd, closed on leaders approaching 3 out and improved to lead after 2 out, ridden after last and headed inside final 50 yards, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Definite Surprise (11-9) at Cork 3m hts chs in Apr.
Longueville Flier (IRE) 6-4 (11-6) Rcd 3rd, slow 7th & rddn brfly 4out, went 2nd 3out, 2l 2nd & rddn 2out, wknd, last of 3, well behind Killabraher Cross (12-2) at Liscarroll 3m ire ptp gd in Mar.
Mountain Philip (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Ww rr, prog in 8th 4out, smooth prog in 3rd aftr 3out, ld aftr 2out & 1l adv last, went clr flat, won at Ballynoe 3m ire ptp sft in Mar beating The Black Dog (12-2) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tiger Sam (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Alw pr, rdn to disp 5out, not qckn 2out, ko, 6th of 12, 42l behind Ballyarthur (12-2) at Tyrella 3m ire ptp gd in Jan.
