soon disputed lead, slight mistakes 4th and 5th, headed before 3 out and slight mistake, dropped to 4th approaching straight, soon no extra, not fluent 2 out
soon disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, headed before straight, no extra in 3rd approaching 2 out
in rear, 6th at 7th, under pressure and no impression from 4 out, soon no extra
held up, slight mistake 6th, 6th halfway, no impression from 4 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, slightly slow in jumping at times, 3rd halfway, on terms from before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out where slight mistake, rallied from before last, kept on well run-in, not quite get to winner
chased leaders, not fluent jumping early, 5th halfway, dropped to last at 7th, soon pushed along and behind, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, bad mistake 8th, under pressure in 3rd approaching straight, soon on terms, led approaching 2 out, pressed and kept on well run-in to just hold on
Definite Earl has been improving with every run and looked likely to take a hand in the finish at Punchestown last time but for falling at the third last. He should get into the frame here and looks better at this stage than recent point-to-point winners Hawkers Son and Time Is Time. Bridies Boy did a bit better at Clonmel but Positive Approach was beaten when refusing over fences on that track last week. VENITIEN DE MAI, unbeaten in four runs between the flags, has been well supported in all races over timber but hasn't been finding much at the business end. This is probably the weakest opposition he's faced to date and can finally get off the mark.
Bridies Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, 6th from 6th, 3rd 3 out, soon pushed along, dropped to moderate 4th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on into 3rd again near line, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Kilford (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl sft.
Definite Earl (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division early, closed and tracking leaders when fell 3 out, in a race won by Kentucky Star (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 in Feb, 16 ran.
Follow Ned (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Towards rear and detached early, 12th at 3rd, moderate 8th approaching straight, poor 6th when not fluent 2 out, not fluent last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 13, 19l behind Westerner Point (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft.
Hawkers Son (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Ww rr, prog 3out, 3rd 2out, ld last, outjumped & hdd last, no ch with easy wnr aftr, eased cl home, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Leading The Life (11-6) at Bandon 3m ire ptp hvy.
Positive Approach (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, a little slow 1st, tended to jump left and mistake 3rd, never a factor, dropped to last and reminder 6th, slightly hampered 4 out, refused last, in a race won by Leighinmohr (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 2f beg chase sft, 8 ran.
Rockinrolldixie (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Rr, prog into 4th frm 7th, still 4th when fell 5out, in a race won by Dylanseoghan (12-2) at Kildorrery 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Venitien De Mai (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, disputed from 5th, led entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Vedettariat (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Barna Bach (IRE) Bach gelding out of Barna Hall.
Time Is Time (IRE) 4-5 (12-2) Rcd 2nd & running free, mstk 6out, chall 5out, ld 2out, 1l adv gng best when faster jump last, row flat, won at Knockanard 3m ire ptp sft in Feb beating Ash Park (11-6) by 5l, 3 ran.
