prominent, soon 3rd, 2nd from 5 out, challenged 2 out, soon on terms, rider lost whip run-in but stayed on best
disputed lead when pecked 1st, tracked leaders after, soon 4th, impeded 5 out, soon led, not fluent 2 out, pressed and joined after, not match winner and kept on same pace run-in
held up, mistake 3rd, soon raced in 5th, not fluent 7th, 3rd from 5 out, challenged 3 out, no extra from 2 out, one pace
in rear, pushed along at stages, moderate 4th 4 out, no impression straight
prominent, soon 2nd, led 6 out, bad mistake 5 out, soon pulled up, dead
close up, led 2nd, mistake 4th, headed 6 out, badly impeded next, soon no extra
Henry De Bromhead won this last year with Sizing Rio and SADLER'S RISK (NAP) can follow suit. A useful stayer on the Flat, he didn't do quite as well over hurdles after a fine start but looked a potential class act over fences when jumping brilliantly and sauntering home on his debut at Roscommon in May. Un Beau Matin also made a highly encouraging start over the bigger obstacles when beating a small but strong field at Punchestown last month and, with further progress guaranteed, he should be in the shake-up. Perfect Gentleman has been ridden by Patrick Mullins in all of his dozen starts including when making an impressive debut over fences at Tipperary. Ruby Walsh takes over here and Willie Mullins' charge has to be a threat. The remaining trio are all winners over fences and, though having a bit to find, are definitely not out of an interesting contest.
Perfect Gentleman (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Prominent early, slightly slow 1st and soon settled behind leaders, mainly 3rd, disputed 3rd from 9th, improved to dispute after 3 out, led entering straight, ridden clear before last, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 7f beg chs gd in Oct beating Vics Canvas (11-9) by 13l, 6 ran.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved to lead after 3 out, went well clear travelling well after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, won at Roscommon 2m 5f beg chs sft in May beating Busty Brown (11-12) by 18l, 12 ran.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 9th, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Indevan (11-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) in Oct.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, a little keen early, last after 6th, slightly slow next, 6th 4 out, 5th before straight, 4th 2 out where pecked, 3rd from last, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Band Of Blood (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs in Oct.
Un Beau Matin (IRE) 4-5fav (11-9) Led, bad mistake and headed 3rd, moderate 2nd halfway, closer in 2nd when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, mistake next, strongly pressed leader at last, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs gf in Oct beating Sizing Solution (11-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
Allied Victory (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Raced in 3rd, jumped well, 2nd at 2nd, on terms 5th, led 8th, stayed on well from before last, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs gd in Oct beating Kilcarry Bridge (11-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
