disputed lead, headed after 2nd, remained prominent, jumped left 3rd, slight mistake 4th, dropped to 3rd after 9th, 4th from 10th, soon under pressure, weakened and not fluent 4 out, pulled up straight
soon chased leaders in 4th, slight mistake 5th, 3rd from 10th, not go with front pair from before straight, pecked slightly last and one pace
waited with, soon well off pace towards rear, disputed 4th but still well off pace before 3 out, weakened after
disputed lead, led after 2nd, almost joined approaching straight, stayed on best to assert from last
waited with, soon well off pace towards rear, disputed 4th but still well off pace before 3 out, soon distant 4th and one pace
took keen hold, slight mistake 3rd, soon chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd after 9th, slightly slow 4 out, improved to be close up on inner approaching straight, switched left approaching 2 out where jumped left, not fluent and left again last, no extra
It's two years since YORKHILL (NAP) won the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham where he looked an outstanding prospect. He reverted to hurdles at the highest level last year so is very interesting back over fences and can make his class count. Willie Mullins also runs Polidam, who has been running in major handicaps since beating yet another from the yard, Acapella Bourgeois, 9l at Navan in December 2017. The latter was conceding 12lb that day so today's terms gives him an outstanding chance of reversing the form. Poli Roi made a successful debut over fences at Fairyhouse but has disappointed in two subsequent starts while St Stephens Green was beaten a long way in a novices chase at Punchestown last month. Grade 1 winning hurdler Arctic Fire made a belated debut over fences at Gowran in January but was beaten 60l.
Poli Roi (FR) 28-1 (11-1) In rear, a little slow 5th and reminders, mistake 7th and dropped behind, jumped left 10th, pulled up 3 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) gd in Jan.
Polidam (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear on outside, mistake 11th, some headway into mid-division after 3 out, never threatened leaders, weakened last, 13th of 22, 21 3/4l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
St Stephens Green (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression in 4th when left 3rd at last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 24 1/4l behind Riders Onthe Storm (11-3) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Feb.
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Led after 1st, headed when stumbled on landing 2 out, soon lost place, weakened before last, 17th of 24, dist behind Early Doors (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Arctic Fire (GER) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, no extra after 4 out, eased, 9th of 17, dist behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan.
Yorkhill (IRE) (10-5) 9th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Bapaume (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 3f (1) gd in Jun.
