made all, went clear from 3 out, pushed along before last, stayed on well run-in, easily
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no impression
soon tracked leaders and took keen hold early, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, closer in 5th 5 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression
mid-division on outer, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, 3rd before next, kept on one paced
rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
in rear, pushed along briefly after 5 out, went moderate 5th 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders on inner, ridden and went 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening winner before last
After landing a point-to-point and a Thurles bumper, BRIAR HILL went to the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham as a 25/1 chance but won virtually as he liked under Ruby Walsh. Jumping hurdles shouldn't pose a problem and he's obviously a very exciting prospect. El Soro should ensure he gets a reasonable test as he hasn't been beaten far in his last two starts over hurdles while Behemoth, an impressive winner between the flags in March, started favourite on his bumper debut at Naas last month and though well beaten should do much better. Jazz Concerto is another who proved a costly failure last time and much more is anticipated from him.
Briar Hill (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway on outside 5f out, tracked leaders 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gs in Mar beating Regal Encore (11-5) by 7l, 23 ran.
Behemoth (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Chased clear leaders, closer in 5th halfway, went 3rd entering straight but no chance with easy winner from 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Racing Pulse (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat in Oct.
El Soro (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Keen hold, led, clear at stages early, still going well before straight, pressed and headed early run-in, soon no extra, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Gilgamboa (11-12) at Galway 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
Fossa Island (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, awkward 1st and went left, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened and tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind The Game Changer (11-7) at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft.
Jazz Concerto (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Soon raced in moderate 3rd,, 4th of 8, 40l behind Smiler (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat sft in Oct.
Pour It On 6-1 (10-13) Ld, hdd 4out, sn wknd, mstk 3out, pu next, in a race won by Stowaway Shark (11-9) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Rasco (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Settled towards rear, headway approaching straight and 6th 2f out, soon no extra, 9th of 15, 15l behind Wrath Of Titans (11-4) at Thurles 2m N H flat gd.
Redwood Boy (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mid div best, hmprd 9th & 8th from 6out, mod 9th & well btn 4out, bhnd when pu aftr 3out, in a race won by Cliff Lane (11-9) at Kinsale 3m ire ptp, 13 ran.
Fourteensixtysix (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Soon mid-division, 7th halfway, no impression and kept on same pace from under 4f out, 7th of 11, 41l behind Supreme Bailerina (11-9) at Wexford 2m mrs N H flat gf in Jul.
Hell Cat Maggie (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 4f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 21l behind Princess Leya (10-13) at Cork 2m mares n h flat 4yo sft.
Molly Connors (IRE) Oscar filly out of Molly Maguire.
