held up in rear, effort into mid-division 6f out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened halfway
held up, ridden after 6f, stayed on from over 1f out, never near leaders
mid-division, headway after 3f, pushed along halfway, lost place and well behind 4f out, stayed on again final 2f
chased leaders, led after 6f, headed 6f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden 5f out, no danger when hung left and ran out through rails well over 2f out
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 3f out, no impression final 2f
held up, headway over 4f out, chased winner going well 3f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 3f, lost place 4f out, never dangerous after
with leaders, led 6f out, ridden and headed 4f out, ran green and lost place 3f out
held up, headway 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, still plenty to do 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
with leaders, hung right and ridden 5f out, soon weakened and eased, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 6f out, disputed 2nd well over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out,
pulled hard early, always behind
pulled hard and prominent, weakened quickly 7f out, tailed off
keen early, always towards rear
led for 6f, with leaders until weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, good headway 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, steady headway from 6f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble winner
prominent, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
in touch, smooth headway on inside to lead 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong
Although failing to get one runner into the first six home in this event last year, the Irish challenge is stronger here than in any other race at the Festival and, with the team of Willie Mullins having an outstanding record in the bumper, his quintet of Gayle Abated, Granny Kellys Tart, Knocknabooly, Major Vernon and Our Ben, look the five to concentrate on with the vote going to Knocknabooly. The mount of Ruby Walsh was an impressive winner of his only start in a Gowran Park bumper last month and remains open to plenty of improvement. Martinstown has been the favourite for this event ever since winning impressively at Fairyhouse in November and has to be respected but, at the odds, he looks worth taking on. Jonjo O'Neill looks to hold the strongest claims among the home challengers and is responsible for two undefeated runners in the shape of Millenaire and Refinement, while Nicky Henderson, who sent out Trabaolgan to finish second 12 months ago relies upon The Thunderer, who bounced back from a disappointing debut effort when landing a decent Newbury contest last time. Plenty of others have claims and a close inspection of the market is strongly advised but history tells us that Willie Mullins probably holds the key with Knocknabooly the pick of his five.
