prominent and led 2nd, not jump fluently, headed before 4 out, led briefly before 2 out where slight mistake, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in
held up in rear, progress into 4th 3 out, pushed along and no impression before next, kept on straight
chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on one pace
led, not fluent and headed 2nd, led before 4 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear before 3 out, no extra
Willie Mullins won this last year but Poker Gold made far too many mistakes on his hurdling debut at Cork and will need major improvement in that department to get on the scoresheet. The Scourge won on fast ground on the Flat so he's probably better than his three runs over timber on testing going suggest. Comedy Club didn't run badly on his hurdling bow at Cork though that was on heavy going and he was well beaten on his only start on good ground on the Flat. HOLY WATER was lightly raced and progressive on the level so he'll have come on for his opening run over timber at Wexford and can take this for Jessica Harrington.
Poker Gold (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent jumping, no impression from 2 out, soon no extra,, 6th of 9, 15l behind The Living Beauty (11-0) at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl.
The Scourge (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, mistake 1st, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 13, well behind Officieux (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Jan.
Comedy Club (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 18l behind Sizing Killarney (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
Holy Water (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no impression after 3 out and moderate 5th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 18l behind Skilled (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Mar.
Mister Royal (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Slowly away, always rear, ridden and no impression in 9th entering straight, soon no extra, weakened, 9th of 10, 32l behind Headlong (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in Feb (flat).
Punch Bag (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Led and disputed, ridden 4f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 12l behind Wildcat Kitten (8-10) at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo hcp 47-65 gf in Jul (flat).
Jesmond Lodge (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division early, soon towards rear, slight mistake 5th, ridden in 7th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 29l behind Sizing Killarney (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
