in touch, a little keen, 3rd after 6th, improved to 2nd 3 out, challenged leader 2 out where mistake, led narrowly last, driven out run-in, held on
tracked leader in close 2nd, not fluent at 7th and 10th, dropped to 3rd 3 out where not fluent, no impression on leaders 2 out where slight mistake, weakened
led narrowly, not fluent at 5th, 2 lengths clear after 10th, reduced lead after 4 out, pressed 2 out, headed last, ridden and stayed on run-in, not reach winner
towards rear, slow jump at 1st and dropped to rear, 5th after 6th, slightly detached 4 out where not fluent, no impression on leaders in moderate 4th 2 out where mistake, one paced
rear, towards rear after 1st, 4th after 6th, not fluent at 8th and 9th, bad mistake 3 out, lost place and pulled up
rear, 6th after 6th, slightly detached 4 out, no impression on leaders in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace to moderate 3rd
EL BARRA may have unseated last time in the ultra-competitive Kerry National when sent off favourite but that was a rare blemish on his record since going over the larger obstacles and his previous effort when an excellent third in the Galway Plate sets a clear standard here and makes him hard to oppose now returned to novice company, albeit at Grade 3 level. His stable companion, Shadow Rider was quite impressive when making a winning chasing debut at Gowran Park in March and is a fascinating recruit to the chasing ranks. He's one to note whatever his fate now upped in class. Idas Boy has a similar profile to the latter and is another potentially exciting recruit to fences, whilst Grand Paradis has plenty of chasing experience to call upon and is not discounted on his seasonal reappearance.
El Barra (FR) 5-1fav (11-2) Close up, 6th after 8th, lost place at 9th where pecked and unseated rider, at Listowel 3m hcp gd in Sep.
Grand Paradis (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Tracked leader and keen hold, led after 2nd, asserted 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Apr beating Aione (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Idas Boy (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked clear leader in 2nd, took closer order after 2nd, not fluent at 9th, led narrowly 3 out, asserted before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, very easily, won at Cork 2m 4f sft in Oct beating Gua Du Large (11-12) by 14l, 5 ran.
Panda Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In rear, progress to 5th after 6th, not fluent at 10th, 6th before 4 out, headway after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, soon 2nd, led before last, kept on well, easily, won at Punchestown 3m gd in May beating Caesar Rock (11-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Shadow Rider (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Soon led, increased advantage after 5th, reduced lead before 3 out, asserted 2 out where mistake, not fluent last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Mar beating Joshua Webb (11-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Brampton Belle 7-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway after 3 out and challenged entering straight, soon pushed along and no impression, 5th 2 out, no extra, 5th of 12, 23 3/4l behind Kilbarry Chloe (10-13) at Limerick 2m 6f (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
