held up towards rear, hit 1st and 4th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on, not reach leaders
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
mid-division, shaken up and headway after 5th, ridden to challenge after 2 out, led final 100 yards, edged left, ran on well
in touch, joint leader 5th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, beaten when hit 2 out
held up behind, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway after 4th, effort 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
keen, led, soon clear, headed 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, not fluent early, headway after 5th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
struggling 5th, always towards rear
mid-division until 4th, soon behind
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last
mid-division until weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, hit next, ridden to challenge after 2 out, hit last, kept on
in touch until weakened after 5th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed after 2 out, gradually faded
mid-division, headway 4th, led soon after 2 out, soon ridden, headed final 100 yards, no extra
always behind
This year's Festival curtain raiser is as competitive as ever and only a tentative nomination for top honours goes to Cork All Star, who can get the better of old rival Muirhead now they meet again off level weights; while Binocular and Rippling Ring head the list of others that have to be respected. The last named could do no more than win on his hurdles debut last month and looks a bright prospect for the Paul Nicholls team. A winner over a mile and half in South Africa, Rippling Ring stayed on powerfully at Doncaster and has plenty of the right attributes to be on the premises here. The undulations of the track represent a new challenge, but the mount of Ruby Walsh has a similar background to 2006 winner Noland, so it is right to assume all the homework has been done behind the scenes. Binocular heads a very strong contingent from the Nicky Henderson yard and as such he is well worth considering. His owner (JP McManus) had numerous options for the four-year-old this week and expectations will be high in his bid to maintain his unbeaten status over hurdles. The ground ought not to be a problem and, with his form looking solid, a big run can be expected from Binocular if his stamina holds out under the expected frenetic pace. Henderson also sends out Sentry Duty, Kyber Kim and Zebra Crossing, who all have claims in their own right. However, Sentry Duty may represent the best each-way value at the likely odds, as he posted a much improved effort when winning at Doncaster 38 days ago and looks to be progressing nicely. Irish raiders have won six of the last ten renewals, so the likes of Captain Cee Bee, Sophocles and Norther Bay would be dangerous to completely write-off just yet. Tranquil Sea also has a feasible chance of making the frame, so keep tabs on the betting market for any signs of confidence. However, Muirhead and the selection stand out as the main contenders this time around. Muirhead is unbeaten in three previous starts and appears to be going from strength to strength. Noel Meade knows exactly what it takes to win this race and his representative is expected to be primed and ready for the task in hand. Yet the terms of the race leave him with a stiff test if Cork All Star gets his act together today. The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding is expected to be well suited by a strong gallop and his proven ability to cope with the hill (won last season's Champion Bumper) is a most persuasive factor in giving Cork All Star the nod to come good on racing's biggest stage once more.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 9th of 24, 14l behind Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Prominent, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Oscar Bay (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd travelling well 3 out, led after 2 out, soon drew clear, not extended, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m hdl gs in Nov beating Leading Run (11-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Cork All Star (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, ridden to dispute lead straight, headed before last where slight mistake, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Deep Purple 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Breedsbreeze (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
Kalahari King (FR) 11-4 (11-8) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Riguez Dancer (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Khyber Kim 2-5fav (11-11) Prominent in chasing group, went 2nd 3rd, hit next, shaken up after 3 out, beaten 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 9l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Muirhead (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway to 6th before straight, 4th before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to lead after last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Cork All Star (11-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
Norther Bay (FR) 1-2fav (11-5) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Lyceum (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl gs in Oct.
Numide (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, effort next, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 9l behind Pigeon Island (11-9) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Pasco (SWI) 4-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 5th, hit 2 out and last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Lupanar (10-7) by 6l, 19 ran.
Pigeon Island 7-2 (11-9) Held up, slow 5th, soon outpaced, headway, travelling well after 3 out, led after next, ridden clear, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb beating Grand Schlem (10-7) by 5l, 9 ran.
Quartano (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Pigeon Island (11-9) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Rippling Ring (SAF) 7-2 (11-3) Mid-division, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, ran on strongly flat, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Veloso (11-3) by 6l, 16 ran.
Sentry Duty (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, challenged on bit 3 out, soon led, quickened clear approaching last, ran on strongly flat, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Celestial Halo (11-0) by 7l, 15 ran.
Snap Tie (IRE) 6-5fav (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Calgary Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Sophocles 2-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, progress 4 out, ridden next, 5th and no extra after 2 out, 5th of 7, 14l behind Mister Watzisname (11-2) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 hvy in Feb.
Striking Article (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Led to 2nd, headed 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 15, 19l behind Riguez Dancer (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
The Gloves Are Off (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, closer order travelling well approaching straight, 3rd 3 out, 4th next, soon no impression under pressure, 4th of 27, 13l behind Larkwing (11-12) at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Raced 5th, steady headway into 2nd entering straight, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Binocular (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Held up in touch, smooth headway 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb beating Pierrot Lunaire (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Close up, struggling 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 29l behind Katchit (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Zebra Crossing (SAF) 15-8fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway after 5th, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 19, 23l behind Pasco (11-9) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
