towards rear of mid-division, headway 6f out, challenged 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out to over 1f out, kept on same pace and no impression final furlong
towards rear, outpaced 4f out, never dangerous
in touch on inside, driven and headway over 3f out, soon challenged, led well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well to go clear final furlong
chased leader, lost place when not much room on inside halfway, soon behind, stayed on into mid-division final 2f, no impression
always prominent, challenged and every chance 3f out, ridden to lead briefly well over 1f out, kept on under pressure, no impression with winner inside final furlong
mid-division, outpaced 4f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms
behind until driven and kept on on outside final 2f, never nearer
chased leaders to over 6f out, soon behind
chased leaders, driven over 4f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, never able to challenge
mid-division, lost place over 4f out, soon behind, tailed off
towards rear on inside, ridden 4f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, not reached leaders
mid-division in touch, outpaced 4f out, soon lost place, behind final 2f, tailed off
behind, outpace 4f out, stayed on into mid-division final 2f, never near leaders
towards rear of mid-division, lost place and weakened quickly 4f out, soon tailed off, pulled up inside final furlong
chased leaders to over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
close up on outside, effort over 4f out to over 3f out, kept on same pace, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden to challenge over 4f out to over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led to over 3f out, soon lost place, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never on terms
towards rear of mid-division on outside, lost place and dropped to rear over halfway, soon lost touch, tailed off
in touch on inside, headway to lead narrowly over 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division on inside, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace under pressure final 2f out, never troubled leaders
soon towards rear, outpaced 6f out, ridden and headway under pressure 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never able to reach leaders
Despite Cue Card's success a year ago the Irish have generally had a stranglehold on this. Whether this year's contingent are as strong is another matter but RAISE THE BEAT may be good enough to repel a tough home challenge. Colm Murphy's charge hasn't been seen since cruising to victory on fast ground at Naas in October but created such an impression that he was immediately put away for this. The ground has come right and he may have too much natural pace for compatriots Star Neuville, a convincing winner in heavy ground at Leopardstown, and the Willie Mullins' pair Lord Gale, an easy debut winner at Navan in testing conditions, and Fairyhouse winner Tusa Eire. Those looking for an each-way shot could do worse than Divine Rhapsody, a convincing winner over Double Double on his only start at Punchestown last April despite looking very inexperienced. Knight Pass has a staying chaser's pedigree but has shown plenty of natural speed for his two impressive victories and along with Ericht, a comfortable conqueror of Bygones In Brid at Newbury, will make it difficult for the raiders this year.
Aupcharlie (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, headway 4th early straight, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Naas 2m NH flat sft beating Starling Force (11-9) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Bygones In Brid (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, challenged and every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Ericht (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Cheltenian (FR) 8-15fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway and went close up 7f out, went 2nd going well 3f out, led, hung badly left and hampered rivals over 2f out, stayed on indside final furlong, won at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Feb beating Montbazon (10-8) by 1l, 16 ran.
Dark Glacier (IRE) 15-8 (11-9) Made all, ridden over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, eased close home, won at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb beating Bygones Sovereign (11-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Destroyer Deployed 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, strongly challenged over 2f out, soon hard ridden, kept on well under pressure, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Feb beating Vincentian (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Divine Rhapsody (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Towards rear, progress under 6f out, 3rd before straight, challenged and disputed lead 1 1/2f out, soon led under pressure, wandered about and quickened clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m nhf gd in Apr beating Double Double (10-8) by 3l, 20 ran.
Double Double (FR) 7-4fav (10-13) Held up towards rear early, 7th halfway, headway in 4th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, stayed on to lead inside last 100 yards, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m N H flat gf in May beating Maytide (10-8) by 1l, 12 ran.
Dynamic Approach (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Led, headed 6f out, led again 4f out, ridden and strongly pressed from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Raise The Beat (11-9) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat gf in Oct.
Ericht (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Held up behind, headway 5f out, went 2nd over 3f out, driven to lead inside final 2f, stayed on well final furlong, won at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Bygones In Brid (11-3) by 4l, 9 ran.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd 6f out, led approaching 2f out, soon ridden and under pressure, held on well towards finish, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gd in Jan beating D'Gigi (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Go All The Way (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, 7th 3f out, wide entering straight, 5th 2f out, veered left, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 23, 1 1/4l behind Bishopsfurze (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat gd in Apr.
Knight Pass (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Raced keenly, always prominent, led going well over 2f out, shaken up and quickened clear final furlong, readily, won at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan beating Gores Island (11-5) by 4l, 14 ran.
Knockalongi 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jan beating Fourjacks (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Lord Gale (IRE) 5-4fav (11-13) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 4th 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 2m N H flat hvy in Feb beating Memories Of Milan (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Master Murphy (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Made all, pushed along from over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Kent Street (10-6) by 2l, 15 ran.
Raise The Beat 7-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, 7th halfway, smooth progress approaching straight, 3rd travelling best 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, very easily, won at Naas 2m 3f N H flat gf in Oct beating Dynamic Approach (11-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
Saint Luke (IRE) 7-2 (11-13) Made all, strongly pressed from 3f out, stayed on gamely and in command enering final furlong, in command final furlong, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb beating Flemi Two Toes (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Star Neuville (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, led 6f out, ridden clear early straight, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m NH flat in Dec beating Champagne Agent (11-11) by 4l, 11 ran.
The Tracey Shuffle 6-5fav (11-10) Made all, ridden and under pressure 2f out, kept on well entering final furlong, won at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb beating Rocks Rule (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tusa Eire (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway in 7th entering straight, 5th 2f out, travelled well to lead 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat sft in Jan beating Well Regarded (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Twentyfourcarat (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Given at least 15 lengths advantage start, reduced lead over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on as rivals closed inside final furlong, all out close home but unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov beating Ericht (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Cinders And Ashes 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged and edged right over 1f out, soon led narrowly, edged right and bumped into winner towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 16, shd behind Keys (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) gs in Jan.
Cousin Khee 4-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 10l behind Keys (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) gs in Jan.
Oscar Magic (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Made virtually all, hard driven when strongly challenged from over 2f out, stayed on well, driven out (no time taken), won at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb beating Tour D'argent (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
