chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, eased inside final furlong
took keen hold, made most until headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, every chance over 2f out, no impression on leaders when edged left over 1f out
held up, effort on outside over 3f out, no further progress
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out, no danger after
mid-division, lost place over 4f out, soon in rear, stayed on final 2f, never near leaders
hampered, unseated rider start
mid-division, effort on inside over 3f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, took closer order over 4f out, led well over 1f out, ridden out, held on well
held up in rear, effort over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in mid-division, headway when not much room and lost place over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, nearest finish
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
prominent until weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, good headway 4f out, chased winner 1f out until well inside final furlong, not quicken
prominent until weakened over 4f out
took keen hold, held up, still in rear but going well when short of room crashed through rails and unseated rider over 5f out
held up in touch, weakened over 3f out
held up in mid-division, headway 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, steady headway from over 3f out, stayed on, never near to challenge
in touch, ridden over 2f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, kept on
always towards rear
mid-division, steady headway from 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on one pace
took keen hold, raced wide with leader, hung right from halfway, weakened over 4f out
Many times in recent years the winner of this contest has been greeted by riotous cheers from the Emerald Isle contingent and this year's renewal could very well fall to an Irish candidate again. Their two best hopes appear to be Missed That and Beautiful Vision and we will side with the former, Rasharrow, The Mick Weston, Karanja and Refinement look the pick of the British battalion. Missed That comes here with very strong credentials, his trainer Willie Mullins has a tremendous record in this event and this unbeaten gelding has apparently been flying on the home gallops. His two victories to date have been gained in great style. He was slowly away and making no impression on his racecourse debut at Punchestown in May, but justified favouritism next time at Clonmel in December, arriving with his effort off the final bend and staying on well in the closing stages after edging ahead over a furlong out.. He followed up next time in a much better race at Naas, beating Miss Toulon by a comfortable six lengths. With further improvement expected he will be hard to beat. Lennie Lungo's Rasharrow was a bit keen on his debut at Wetherby , but he travelled strongly throughout and quickened away in good style in the last furlong to beat today's rival Lennon.. He looks a likely type to progress and could be the best of the home team. Karanja completed a hat-trick with an easy success in a grade two event at Newbury. The form has taken the odd knock but he should be capable of taking a hand in the finish. Refinement beat some decent types at Aintree last November, but as he is trained by Jonjo O'Neill fitness is not guaranteed. The Mick Weston bounced back to winning form in great style here last time, but he would probably prefer a lot more rain. Beautiful Vision was most impressive when landing a competitive affair at Leopardstown last time. The form has been given the odd boost and trainer Tom Taaffe has decided go for this event instead of waiting for a hurdles campaign next season. Snakebite hasn't lived up to his huge reputation as yet, but could go well at a big price, however Missed That appears to have the best overall form and can give Willie Mullins some more Cheltenham cheer.
Beautiful Vision (IRE) 5-1 Moderate 4th, close 3rd after halfway, disputed lead 3f out, led entering straight, ridden and stayed on well from 2f out, won at Leopardstown 2m nhf hvy in Jan beating Extra Pickins by 8l, 13 ran.
Clew Bay Cove (IRE) 7-2 Held up in touch, progress 6f out, 3rd approaching straight, 4th and ridden over 2f out, soon no extra, 6th of 13, more than 9l behind Mister Top Notch at Naas 2m 3f nhf sft in Feb.
Eye On The Ball 9-2 Held up in touch, 6th 3f out, 4th early straight, kept on well final furlong without troubling winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Merdeka at Leopardstown 2m nhf hvy in Dec.
High Tech Made (FR) 5-4fav Held up, headway to go 2nd over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Oscardeal at Southwell 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Itsmyboy (IRE) 9-4fav Led 4f, stayed prominent, led 7f out, ran green from 2f out, stayed on under pressure, drew clear final furlong, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Apr beating Earth Man by 8l, 13 ran.
Karaghan (IRE) 8-1 Settled 2nd, challenged entering straight, led over 2 1/2f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Firth Of Forth at Navan 2m nhf sft.
Karanja 14-1 In touch, challenged from 3f out, pushed along from over 2f out, led from over 1f out, ran on, won at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb beating Be Be King by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Lennon (IRE) 1-5fav Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 2f out, drew clear, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (H) gd in Feb beating Monsieur Delage by 12l, 9 ran.
Missed That 7-4fav Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd from halfway, smooth headway entering straight, 2nd travelling best over 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden clear final furlong, easily, won at Naas 2m nhf sft in Feb beating Miss Toulon by 6l, 14 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 4-1 Held up in mid-division, good headway 4f out, led on bit 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Feb beating Dare Too Dream by 29l, 14 ran.
Mister Top Notch (IRE) 8-1 Always prominent, led approaching halfway, ridden straight, strongly pressed inside final furlong, edged right close home, all out, won at Naas 2m 3f nhf sft in Feb beating Graduand by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Oscar's Advance (IRE) 6-1 Always prominent, led halfway, soon headed, led again 4f out, ridden and stayed on well from 2f out, won at Listowel 2m nhf gd in Sept '03 beating Strike Back by 3l, 13 ran.
Oscardeal (IRE) 10-3 Led, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind No Regrets at Doncaster 2m nhf (H) gd.
Rasharrow (IRE) 9-4fav Held up, tracked leaders halfway, led on bit 2f out, shaken up and ran on well final furlong, won at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov beating Lennon by 5l, 16 ran.
Snakebite (IRE) 4-11fav Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Its A Dream at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Feb.
The Mick Weston 5-2 Held up, headway halfway, led over 2f out, pushed out, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Dec beating Victom's Chance by 6l, 15 ran.
Wee Robbie 25-1 Mid-division, effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 17, 24l behind Karanja at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Yaboya (IRE) 11-4 Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 6f out, rallied and ran on over 2f out, challenged and led 2f out, ran on final furlong, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb beating Hollywood by 2l, 16 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 6-4fav Led for 4f, tracked leader, slightly short of room 6f out, led 5f out, ridden over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 2m mdn nhf (H) gd in Jan beating Bougoure by 8l, 17 ran.
De Soto 6-1 Mid-division, headway over 5f out, led well over 3f out, headed well over 1f out, edged left and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Karanja at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Nice Horse (FR) 3-1 Held up mid-division, headway to chase leader 4f out, led over 2f out, driven clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Feb beating Aspiring Actor by 12l, 9 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 1-3fav Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Nov beating Blue Buster by 4l, 5 ran.
There Is No Doubt (FR) 4-1 Led, ridden along from 4f out, headed 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Mendo at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Tiddle About (IRE) 5-1 Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway on outer 5f out, close 2nd 4f out, ridden to challenge entering straight, disputed lead from over 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 17, hd behind N.
