led, ridden after 2 out, headed when stumbled last, not much room and switched right flat, stayed on
held up, headway 7th, led and hung left last, driven out
held up, stumbled and unseated rider 9th
in touch, lost place when blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching last, hung left and one pace last
chased leader to 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mistakes, always behind
mid-division, reminders after 3rd, lost place when mistake 8th, soon behind
behind from 6th
towards rear, headway 8th, weakened after next
mid-division, lost place and mistake 8th, behind when mistake 9th
chased leaders, pecked 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, one pace flat
behind, mistake 9th, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders to approaching 9th, soon behind
mid-division, ridden and headway when hit 2 out, kept on flat
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace flat
The Irish hold a strong hand in the race to decide the best novice chaser, and we shall row in with War Of Attrition who can see off his fellow countrymen Watson Lake and Ned Kelly, with Contraband and River City best of the home contingent. Since its inception in 1969, the Arkle has always been considered as a stepping stone to future Queen Mother glory, with the likes of Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop emphasing the fact in recent years. So, will War Of Attrition be remembered in the same way. The Mouse Morris-trained six-year-old was no slouch over hurdles, beating Mac's Joy at Navan in December 2003, before subsequently finding only Brave Inca a head too good in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Connections could not wait to go chasing with him and were duly rewarded when he opened his account at the first time of asking over two and three-quarter miles at Thurles in November. A slight setback saw him sidelined until a month ago when he duly hacked up at Naas over two miles, a trip that definitely suits him better. That was his prep race for this, his long-intended target and he is the one to beat. Watson Lake has appeared at the Festival before as well, having finished down the field behind Liberman in the 2003 Champion Bumper, and he too had a minor setback after landing the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse in November. Noel Meade's runner came back with a bang at Navan last month and should go well, but on a strict line through Brave Inca, should not finish ahead of the selection, although that is based on their form over hurdles. The stats are against Ned Kelly, as only two nine-year-olds have prevailed in the last 50 years, but he was a classy hurdler at best and if the legs hold up, he may have a say in proceedings. Contraband bids to give Martin Pipe his fourth success in the race. He is no Well Chief but has held his form at top novice chase level and Martin Pipe describes him as a tough, strong sort. However, he was beaten by River City on his chase debut at Aintree in October, a result that surprised Contraband's owner David Johnson, who described the latter as 'a machine'. Noel Chance was quite happy to put River City away after that debut win and he will line up fresher than most. At the likely odds, River City is cracking each-way value, but for the winner we shall side with War Of Attrition.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 2-1fav Led until jumped slowly and headed 7th, led 12th to after 4 out, ridden and every chance 3 out, hampered and blundered last, kept on flat, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind El Vaquero at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Feb.
Contraband 4-1 In touch, ridden when hit 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind My Will at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Kadount (FR) 2-1jt-fav Chased leader, headway 9th, led on bit approaching 3 out, quickened clear 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb beating Roofing Spirit by 6l, 5 ran.
Limerick Boy (GER) 12-1 Tracked leader, led before 3 out, clear next, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb beating Lacdoudal by 12l, 7 ran.
Ned Kelly (IRE) 1-3fav Made all, jumped well, drew clear from 4 out, unchallenged, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f beg chs sft in Feb beating The Royal Dub by 20l, 6 ran.
River City (IRE) 3-1 Chased leaders when 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on, won at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (A) sft in Oct beating Contraband by 2l, 4 ran.
Sir Oj (IRE) 5-1 Led, headed 3rd, 5th 5 out, progress next, disputed lead after 3 out, headed after 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Ulaan Baatar at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 hvy in Jan.
Steel Band 8-1 Held up, 3rd when slight mistake 5 out, lost touch from next, no extra after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 45l behind Watson Lake at Navan 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb.
Supreme Developer (IRE) 7-2 Held up, jumped slowly and outpaced from 6th, closed after 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, nk behind L'Ange Au Ciel at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.
The Last Cast 4-6fav Led, headed 4th, chased leader, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Through The Rye at Carlisle 2m nov chs (C) sft in Feb.
Town Crier (IRE) 9-1 Led 1st, headed next, led again approaching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Feb beating Ghadames by 3l, 7 ran.
Ulaan Baatar (IRE) 4-5fav Prominent, slightly hampered 2nd, disputed lead 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon no extra, not fluent last two fences, 2nd of 5, 20l behind Watson Lake at Navan 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb.
War Of Attrition (IRE) 5-4fav Settled moderate 3rd, left 2nd from 5th, closed on leader 3 out, disputed lead travelling well next, led approaching last, edged clear run in, not extended, won at Naas 2m nov chs sft in Feb beating Healy's Pub by 4l, 12 ran.
Watson Lake (IRE) 3-1 Left in lead from 2nd, joined 4 out, regained lead next, clear from 2 out, eased from last, won at Navan 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb beating Ulaan Baatar by 20l, 5 ran.
Made In Japan (JPN) 8-15fav Tracked leaders in touch, ridden along after 4 out, no impression before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 5, 9l behind Pak Jack at Kempton 2m nov chs (B) gd in Jan.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 13-2 Took keen hold, prominent, chased winner and jumped left 7th, effort 3 out, held when mistake next, weakened, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Chauvinist at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs (C) gs in Feb.
Mondul (GER) 3-1 Close up, challenged 2 out, every chance when mistake last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Stormy Lord at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (B) sft.
My Will (FR) 11-4jt-fav Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, hit last, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan beating Ashley Brook by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mariah Rollins (IRE) 4-1 Held up in touch, 5th after halfway, 2nd and no impression when left in lead last, kept on under pressure, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 sft in Dec beating Steel Band by 4l, 10 ran.
