tracked leader, 3rd approaching 6 out, 4th before 4 out, 3rd again approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
led, headed approaching 5 out, dropped to 4th approaching straight, no extra in last from before 2 out
behind in last, closed 3 out, no impression in 4th approaching next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 6 out, led approaching next, strongly pressed when jumped left 2 out and again at last, kept on well run-in, headed near finish
raced 4th of the 5, 3rd before 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, challenging when slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in to lead near finish
Willie Mullins complicates matters here by saddling The Midnight Club and COOLDINE and though Ruby Walsh is on the former it's the latter who could come out best. The Midnight Club, still in the Gold Cup and sixth in last year's Grand National, is having his season geared for another crack at Aintree and has to give 5lb to his stablemate, who could just be the more forward of the pair as he's entered in next weekend's Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown. Trafford Lad has run 18 times under Rules - 11 of them at Grade 1 level. He's nowhere near that class nowadays but this is probably his optimum trip. Leanne has fitness on her side and likes it around here so she's no forlorn hope to catch the opposition cold but Toomdeely will need massive improvement to take a hand.
The Midnight Club (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, tended to jump a little left, ridden along and dropped last of the 6 after 6 out, left alone downhill after 3 out, kept on without threatening under pressure from next, 4th of 6, 20l behind Apt Approach (11-2) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy in Jan.
Toomdeely (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 5th of 15, 47l behind Leggy Lad (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Nov.
Cooldine (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, no extra from 3 out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Synchronised (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) gd in Dec.
Trafford Lad 40-1 (11-10) Towards rear, tended to jump left, no impression when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Rubi Light (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) in Dec.
Leanne (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Soon led, headed halfway, ridden in 10th 3 out, 6th under pressure entering straight, kept on same pace, 5th of 26, 3 1/2l behind Cross Appeal (10-4) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 in Dec.
