tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression in moderate 3rd after 3 out, no extra
made all, jumped big 4th, 3 lengths clear travelling well 2 out, pushed out and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, raced keenly, slight mistake 1st, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, moderate 5th and no extra when refused last
held up towards rear, raced keenly, 5th halfway, in touch in 5th when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, 6th halfway, slightly hampered 4 out, soon pushed along and dropped to rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, left 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, no extra
The veteran Goulane Chosen won three races last summer and has returned to action in very good shape though ARCTIC WARRIOR (NAP) has the scope to go on to much better things. Willie Mullins' charge has failed to finish in three of five starts over hurdles but had only just been headed when falling at the last in the Grade 1 Future Champions at Leopardstown in December. Stable companion Gjoumi was beaten a long way when runner-up at Fairyhouse while Blanketontheground, who will love the conditions, hasn't been seen since landing a Thurles handicap last January. Clifton Warrior returned from a break to land a Thurles maiden hurdle in November and ran well in a Down Royal novices' event in January so could provide the main threat.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd entering straight, 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, dropped to 4th at last, kept on one pace, 4th of 21, 4 3/4l behind Palace Rock (11-7) at Naas 1m 7f hcp sft in Feb.
Arctic Warrior (GER) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led after 3 out, joined briefly 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, dropped to 4th and fell last, at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Clifton Warrior 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd 3 out, soon challenged, led before 2 out, soon ridden and pressed, slight mistake 2 out, headed before last where jumped slightly right, kept on run-in without troubling winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Rodaniche (11-9) at Down Royal 2m 1f Yielding in Jan.
Blanketontheground (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, some headway 3 out and went 2nd after next, pushed along and led last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Whatsnotoknow (11-5) by 4l, 10 ran.
Gjoumi (FR) 13-8 (11-7) Led, took keen hold and soon clear, mistake 5th, reduced advantage after 4 out, headed after 3 out and ridden, no impression on easy winner when slight mistake 2 out, eased before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 21l behind Burn The Evidence (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Feb.
Future Proof (IRE) 200-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, no headway, weakened after 2 out (normal 3 out), never a factor, 23rd of 27, dist behind Call Me Lyreen (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Ferdia (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Led and clear early, 2 lengths lead halfway, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon dropped towards rear and no extra before last, last of 6, 26 1/2l behind The Goffer (11-0) at Thurles 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
