LITTLE STEVIE showed the benefit of his opening run and the very testing conditions when storming clear of his rivals at Cork a couple of weeks later only to fall at the last. Compensation awaits here in similar ground. Double Windsor ran well behind Lake Champlain at Gowran in October but poorly at Punchestown a few days later and has been given a break. Tagg's Island was beaten a long way on his first two starts over timber though in better company than this before a much improved effort on better ground at Wexford so he wouldn't want more rain. Our Lucas made his debut in that latter event and ran well enough to suggest he could turn the tables and reach a place here though it's Give Battle who could prove the main threat as he's been noted staying on from the rear in his last two outings.
Ciao Cielo (GER) 25-1 (8-8) Slowly away and always rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra under 2f out, last of 6, 17 1/2l behind Ringside Humour (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Danegeld 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 4 out, trailing when brought down 2 out, at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Mar.
Double Windsor (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, soon weakened and pulled up, at Punchestown 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Give Battle (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division on outer, never a factor, no impression after 2 out and 13th last, kept on one pace, 12th of 20, 17 1/2l behind Mount Beckham (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn sft in Mar.
Little Stevie 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved into 2nd at 5th, led 4 out, soon clear of field along with nearest rival, ridden clear before 2 out, fell last, at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Mar.
Our Lucas (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up, closed up from 3 out between horses, soon 4th, 5th before straight and no impression, one pace, 4th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Alterno (11-2) at Wexford 2m mdn sft in Mar.
Tagg's Island (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th and slight mistake 7th, pushed along from 3 out, challenged from before straight, soon on terms, not fluent 2 out, soon headed and impeded, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Alterno (11-2) at Wexford 2m mdn sft in Mar.
Ted Thistle (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th approaching halfway, pushed along under 5f out, soon no impression, no extra and eased from 2f out, completely tailed off, last of 13, at Thurles 2m Yielding in Mar.
Ten Fourteen (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, soon moderate 7th, closer order 6f out, soon pushed along and no impression, eased straight, completely tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind The Sneaky Punter (11-7) at Limerick 2m hvy in Mar.
Minnie The Moocher 14-1 (10-9) Held up, moderate 6th from 3 out, soon no impression, fell 2 out, at Wexford 2m mdn sft in Mar.
