towards rear, went moderate 8th 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
rear of mid-division, headway on inner 5 out, went 3rd 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 2nd and 8th, ridden in 2nd when slight mistake 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, some progress 4 out, went moderate 6th next, no impression, never a factor
always behind, pushed along 5th and reminders 7th, bad mistake 9th, no impression, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake and unseated rider at 5th
tracked leaders, jumped left at 6th and 7th, 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression straight
led and jumped left throughout, slight mistake 3rd, ridden and strongly pressed 3 out, headed next, soon no impression in 4th
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along to lead narrowly 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
rear of mid-division on inner, jumped left, 8th when jumped badly left 4 out, soon no impression, never a factor
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, dropped to 9th 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
rear of mid-division on outer, progress into 6th 4 out, 5th next, ridden and went close 2nd 2 out, strongly pressed winner at last, kept on same pace in close 2nd inside final furlong
Winning bumper Potters Point had his first start for Gordon Elliott at Galway in October and narrowly won a maiden hurdle from today's rival Black Zembezi, who hasn't exactly franked the form. He's always looked more likely to make a chaser so it's surprising to see Bryan Cooper on board the owner's Delegate, who has been frustrating since completing a double over timber last summer. Pyromaniac finished in front of the latter here earlier this month and shouldn't be long finding a race over fences but O CEALLAIGH was in front of the pair of them that day when a very good runner-up to Woodland Opera and looks the one to be on. Falcon Crest, a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner, started favourite but pulled up on his chasing debut at Down Royal in December so better must have been expected.
Black Zambezi (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in moderate 9th 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, dist behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Definite Earl (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, progress into mid-division halfway, moderate 5th 5 out, ridden into 4th after 3 out, no impression before next, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 32 3/4l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Delegate 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, dropped off leaders halfway, moderate 4th 5 out, no extra 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, dist behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Falcon Crest (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-12) Chased leaders, slights mistake 3rd and 4th, ridden in 5th 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Hatch Hall 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, ridden towards rear 4 out, no extra and weakened, 10th of 13, dist behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
House Limit (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, 4th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Merrion Row (10-9) at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp gd in Mar.
Joxer (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra before 2 out, weakened, 7th of 14, 34 3/4l behind Tikkanen Express (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f sft in Apr.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, clear with nearest pursuer from halfway, reduced advantage briefly before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Potters Point (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Soon led, mistake 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, reduced lead but always holding on near finish, won at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Black Zambezi (11-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Pyromaniac (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, 3rd from 5 out, closer briefly before 3 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 29l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Robin De Roost (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th from 5th, dropped to 8th approaching straight and weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Champagne Harmony (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Apr.
Rocky Court (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 2 out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Oscar Knight (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Flaviana (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, slight mistakes 5th and 5 out, ridden into 6th 3 out, stayed on into 3rd last, no impression on leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Teacher's Pet (10-10) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp gd in Nov.
