mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up towards rear when lost action and pulled up before 5th, dismounted
chased leaders to 18th, behind when lost action and pulled up quickly before next, dismounted
tracked leaders, effort on inside 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced when switched right before last, kept on same pace, no impression
in rear, mistake and unseated rider 16th
always prominent, led 2nd to 4th, tracked leader, mistake 6th, not fluent 3 out, led again next, hard pressed last, ridden flat, just held on
mid-division, hit 21st, headway under pressure 3 out, went 2nd before last, soon every chance, ridden and stayed on flat, just held
in touch, driven 29th, soon lost place, towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 6 out
keen early, led to 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no impression between last 2
slowly away, always towards rear, struggling 17th, pulled up before 27th
always behind, struggling 29th, never dangerous
in touch, 5th and outpaced 2 out, no impression
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out to next, kept on same pace, no impression
always behind, mistake and unseated rider 6 out
in touch, led 4th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression from last
mid-division, dropped towards rear 20th, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out
The Irish dominate this contest and the last three winners, Garde Champetre, A New Story and SIZING AUSTRALIA are all set to face the starter again this year. The former is trained by Enda Bolger, who has won four of the seven renewals, but the 13-year-old would almost certainly have finished behind several of today's rivals when winning here in December had leader Wedger Pardy not taken a wrong turn heading back on to the racecourse, taking Double Dizzy, Balthazar King, Uncle Junior, A New Story and Scotsirish with him. The latter looked particularly unlucky as he was staying on with real intent and has since reversed running with Garde Champetre on the cross-country course at Punchestown when Tally Em Up was a close third and Jacks Island fourth. But we'll take Henry De Bromhead's stayer to successfully defend his crown as he's clearly been trained with this race in mind again and will be fresher than most having only had a couple of runs over hurdles this winter. Midnight Haze and Fortification could prove the pick of the home team but neither have experience of these unique obstacles.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) In rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, 7th and outpaced when took wrong course before last, recovered and eventually completed, 7th of 10, well behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gf in Dec.
Scotsirish (IRE) 4-9fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 2 out, travelling best to lead before last where not fluent and briefly headed, soon regained lead and kept on well, won at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Feb beating Garde Champetre (12-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Garde Champetre (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, mistake 5 out (Ruby's Double), headway into 3rd approaching last, kept on well run-in to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Scotsirish (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Feb.
Sizing Australia (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 7th entering straight, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 19, 9l behind Colls Corner (11-7) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Feb.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway into 10th 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 12th of 22, 24l behind Seabass (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch in Jan.
Balthazar King (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, chased leader when took wrong course and crashed through rail and fell before last, in a race won by Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gf in Dec, 10 ran.
A New Story (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra approaching straight, 11th of 15, 18l behind Paddy Pub (10-7) at Naas 3m hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Feb.
Double Dizzy 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 12th, lost place next, weakened 17th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Zarrafakt (11-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Midnight Haze 9-2 (11-11) With leader, led before 15th, clear before last, kept on well, won at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Inside Dealer (11-8) by 11l, 9 ran.
Fortification (USA) 11-2 (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 6th, led 11th, pushed along 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb beating Cerium (9-8) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Jacks Island (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 6th halfway, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace to go moderate 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 17l behind Scotsirish (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Feb.
Maljimar (IRE) (10-10) in a race won by Folidor (11-0) at Dieppe(FR) 3m 5f chs hvy in Sep, 7 ran.
Tally Em Up (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, no extra approaching 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Betterthanalright (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 in Feb, 8 ran.
Dream Alliance 28-1 (10-13) Tracked leader to 7th, in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 10th of 14, 38l behind Bellflower Boy (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Wedger Pardy (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, led 7th, driven 2 lengths clear when took wrong course and pulled up before last, in a race won by Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gf in Dec, 10 ran.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, dropped to mid-division 7th, pecked 9th, behind from 15th, 9th of 13, 42l behind The Minack (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
