led and disputed, slight mistake 1st where left and bumped with rival, led from 6th, joined 2 out and soon ridden in 2nd, no impression before last, kept on same pace
mid-division best, ridden and no impression 4 out, no extra next and weakened, completely tailed off
mid-division, slight mistake 4th, 7th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before next, soon no extra
held up in mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, progress into 5th before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra before last where moderate 3rd, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, closer in 3rd from 6th, improved to dispute 2 out, soon narrow lead travelling well, pushed out to assert before last, pecked last, ridden run-in, ran around slightly and flashed tail, kept on strongly close home, comfortably
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2 out, no extra before last where moderate 4th, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, 8th when slight mistake at 7th, ridden and no impression next, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off
prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from 2nd, lost place approaching halfway where 6th, weakened from 7th, pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear, ridden and weakened from 7th, pulled up before 4 out
prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from 5th, 3rd halfway, dropped to 6th before 7th, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened and completely tailed off
always towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 7th
prominent and disputed, jumped right and bumped with rival 1st, 2nd from 6th, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra in moderate 5th before last, kept on one pace
Gordon Elliott has won this for the past two years and has a very strong hand in pursuit of a hat-trick. Winning point-to-pointer and bumper POLI ROI started odds-on for his hurdling debut at Galway but a mistake at the second last when travelling well cost him momentum and he could never get back on terms. The longer trip here and the experienced gained can see him take care of stable companion Miracle In Medinah, who hasn't been seen since landing a Fairyhouse bumper in March of last year. The third Elliott entry, Blue Empyrean, has more experience but looks vulnerable and though Stowaway Forever has real potential he is held by the selection on that Galway run.
Asbury Boss (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 17th of 22, dist behind Cracking Smart (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Blue Empyrean (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders and 3rd after 5 out, not fluent 2 out and soon dropped to 4th, ridden before last and soon went 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Mischievious Max (11-6) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn gd in Aug.
Castle Clyde (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, progress 5f out, 5th 4f out, ridden and no extra 3f out, 7th of 12, dist behind Minellafordollars (12-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Mar.
Miracle In Medinah 10-1 (12-0) Held up, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 3rd under 1f out, disputed final 50 yards and edged ahead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding in Mar beating Some Neck (12-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Poli Roi (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th after 5th, mistake 2 out, good headway on outer from before straight, challenged and every chance from before last, kept on without matching winner on stand's rail run-in, 2nd of 15, 4l behind The Rory Story (11-12) at Galway 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Stowaway Forever (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Disputed lead early, led from 3rd, headed approaching straight, no extra and one pace last, 4th of 15, 11 3/4l behind The Rory Story (11-12) at Galway 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Bennaway (IRE) Stowaway gelding out of Benny's Marble.
Central Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Ww in rr, rdn in rr bef 3out, sn no ex, pu bef last, at Largy 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Dark Du Tabert Aa (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders early, 7th from 3rd, slight mistake next and dropped to last and no danger, completely tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Makitorix (11-7) at Listowel 2m mdn hvy in Sep.
Summons To Court (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, 7th approaching halfway, one pace from before straight, 7th of 11, 29l behind Sassy Diva (11-9) at Wexford 2m hvy in Oct.
Val Di Comino (IRE) 200-1 (10-10) Always behind, ridden after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Whispering Affair 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders and 4th from 5 out, pushed along in 3rd from 2 out and ridden in 2nd before last, no impression on winner and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Monkshood (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn Yielding in Oct.
