tracked leaders in 4th early until slow jumps 2nd, ridden along and last from next, trailing halfway, behind when slipped approaching 5 out and mistake, continued tailed off
held up behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden in moderate 4th from 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden and closer in 3rd 2 out, went 2nd when slight mistake at last, kept on without threatening winner
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, improved to lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure from last
led, clear halfway, reduced advantage when not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd when mistake at last, no extra
Official figures suggest SPECIAL TIARA is nailed on here which is hardly surprising as he's a Grade 1 winner, beating Overturn in the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in April of last year. He wasn't beaten far in the Celebration Chase at Sandown behind Sire De Grugy and has been brought along steadily since with runs on the Flat and over timber. He should have few problems taking this before going on to much bigger things. Fosters Cross returned to his best when beating Pires, who won this a year ago, in a tough handicap at Galway but Shrapnel has run very poorly in his three most recent starts and like Usa is heavily penalised.
Shrapnel (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Not fluent 1st, improved to lead before 2nd, mistake 4th, bad mistake 5th, joined before 6th where jumped left and headed, further mistake 9th and pulled up, in a race won by Caim Hill (11-4) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Usa (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased clear leaders, closer in 3rd halfway, 4th and no extra 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, well behind Alelchi Inois (11-9) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Enjoy Responsibly (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Close up, jumped well, led approaching 7 out, clear 5 out, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, reduced lead at the finish but always in command, won at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs in Jul beating The Cub (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Prominent, raced on outer, not fluent 4th, 3rd 2 out, led approaching straight, strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on well,, won at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs beating Pires (11-1) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Special Tiara 4-6fav (11-6) Soon raced in moderate 3rd, closer order from before 6 out, mistake 3 out and no impression after, dropped to 5th and not fluent 2 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 22l behind Wisty (9-3) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd.
Lucky William (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always rear, not fluent 1st, detached after 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Simenon (11-0) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Jul.
