Forpadydeplasterer, Aigle D'or, Group Captain, Trafford Lad and Breedsbreeze look the 5 to concentrate on in a competitive opener on day 2 of the Festival and the vote is given to Group Captain. The selection hails from the Alan King yard who are bang in form at present, and he is taken to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. The 6-year-old was a fair sort on the flat and he has improved with each run over hurdles. He is going the right way as his most impressive win came last time when he beat the highly-regarded Working Title in facile fashion. He is suited to running in big fields from his days on the flat and with conditions to suit he has a rock solid chance. Aigle D'or rates the main danger as he won well over this course and distance on only his second start when beating the useful yardstick Hold Em. That rival has won again since and with more improvement likely this lightly-raced type is entitled to run well. Forpadydeplasterer looks the best of the Irish challengers as he won well in Grade 1 company when beating Cork All Star. However, his best form has come with slightly more juice in the ground so any further rain would aid his chance. Trafford Lad was only beaten a head by Venalmar last time, but his overall profile suggests he has a little to find with the principles. Breedsbreeze was an impressive scorer last time when he got the better of Deep Purple, but he is another that would be helped by further rain. Razor Royale travels well in his races and if the fitting of a first time tongue strap brings about some improvement he could go well at a price. However, Group Captain has plenty going for him today and he looks the value call.
Aigle D'or 7-4fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went third next, led and mistake last, ran on, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Hold Em (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Breedsbreeze (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) In touch, effort after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan beating Deep Purple (11-7) by 2l, 10 ran.
Fiveforthree (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, smooth headway into 3rd when not fluent 2 out, 2nd when not fluent last, quickened to lead close, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb beating Wheels Up (11-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
Fond Of A Drop 5-1 (11-12) Always prominent, 3rd 4 out, challenged after 2 out, led last, strongly pressed run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 16, nk behind Clarnazar (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gs in Feb.
Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led before straight, soon strongly pressed and joined, edged left and led before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb beating Cork All Star (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Group Captain 15-8jt-fav (11-11) Held up last, headway 3rd, challenged on bit 3 out, shaken up to lead 2 out, pushed clear flat, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (1) gs in Feb beating Working Title (11-9) by 6l, 7 ran.
Hold Em (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Held up in last, headway 4 out, under pressure approaching 2 out, hard ridden to lead after last, stayed on under pressure, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gd in Feb beating Junior (11-3) by a shd, 11 ran.
King In Waiting (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 13, 25l behind Ignotus (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Lightning Strike (GER) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, challenging when hit 3 out, soon ridden, hung left under pressure after last, kept on well, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Hold Em (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Logans Run (IRE) 4-11fav (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, driven and all out flat to dead heat post, awarded race, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb deadheating with Raysrock (11-4), 8 ran.
Majestic Concorde (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden 2 out, 4th before last, soon no extra, 4th of 9, 8l behind Whatuthink (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Raven's Run (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Led, narrowly headed before 2 out, remained disputing lead, 2nd after last, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Coolcashin (11-5) at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Razor Royale (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, went second after 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed before last, kept on, 4th of 11, 5l behind Aigle D'or (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Trafford Lad 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th before straight, moderate 4th and ridden before 2 out, closed before last, 2nd and challenged run-in, stayed on well and slightly short of room close home, just, 2nd of 9, hd behind Venalmar (11-3) at Naas 2m 4f nov hd.
Venalmar 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd approaching 4 out, on terms before straight, challenged under pressure and led before last, soon wandered about, stayed on well and drifted left run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 sft in Jan beating Traf.
Whatuthink (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Led, headed before 4th, 2nd after until ridden in 3rd 3 out, no extra from before straight, 5th of 7, 22l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
