tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd at 9th and led 3 out, pressed next, pushed along and 1 length lead last, ridden to assert and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and progress to challenge next, no impression on winner run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd when fell 7th
always rear, slow 3rd and 4th, detached before next, weakened, completely tailed off
led, headed 3 out, no impression in 3rd after next, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 7th, pushed along and still prominent when fell 2 out
Gordon Elliott trains half of the six-strong field. A TOI PHIL was with Willie Mullins last season where he won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Leopardstown before failing to fire in the championship events at Cheltenham and Punchestown. He looks a smart recruit to fences and should take care of stable companions Be The Hero and Woodford Island. The latter came out best when they finished 1-2 at Navan in January but the former has made great strides subsequently so should take his revenge. Art Of Payroll hasn't won for some time but has some experience over fences having chased home lone rival Some Plan at Punchestown last month while Round Tower did better than expected when runner-up to the long odds-on Alpha Des Obeaux here last time.
A Toi Phil (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 4th, reminder and ran very wide on bend after 4th, pushed along in rear halfway, progress before 3 out, no extra 2 out, eased, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Apr.
Art Of Payroll (GER) 13-8 (11-12) Chased sole rival, pecked 5th, closed next, pushed along briefly 4 out, ridden straight, slight mistake 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, last of 2, 7l behind Some Plan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Be The Hero (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead at 8th, attempted to run out on bend before next, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f gd in May beating Crest (11-10) by 4l, 6 ran.
Mill Forge 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression 2 out, no extra and mistake last, 5th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Black Benny (11-0) at Down Royal 2m gd in Aug.
Round Tower (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, disputed again from 7th, narrowly headed 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Alpha Des Obeaux (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f gd in Oct.
Woodford Island (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Ran 4th, 5th after 2nd, improved to 3rd before 3 out, progress to be almost on terms 2 out, led run-in, soon ridden, headed final 150 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Undressed (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f Yielding in Oct.
