tracked leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 7th, pushed along and progress to go 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
led, headed before 4th, mistake 5th, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, ridden in 4th before next, no extra after 2 out
tracked leader, progress to dispute 6th, headed 4 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, no extra
tracked leader, jumped well, led before 4th, joined 6th and led again 4 out, asserted after 2 out and kept on well run-in, easily
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 6th before 2 out, no extra and blundered last
ran 6th, pushed along after 4 out, some progress in 5th before 2 out, ridden and no extra approaching last
always rear, never a factor, pecked badly 1st and slow 2nd, soon trailing, pulled up before 2 out
Outlander is one of those transferred to Gordon Elliott from Willie Mullins, for whom he won three of his six chases including a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February where he had ZABANA a long way behind. However, the latter had his revenge in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown where much more use was made of his stamina and he stayed on strongly for an emphatic victory. He should confirm the form and also take care of third-placed Sub Lieutenant in the process, though the latter has a fitness advantage over those rivals. Paul Nicholls sends over Le Mercurey, who lost his way last season after an excellent start but regained the winning thread in a Grade 2 at Ayr in April.
Outlander (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, 5th 5 out, progress 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, went 2nd before last, kept on in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Zabana (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Zabana (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Led and disputed, pecked badly on landing at 1st, left in front at 9th, joined again 6 out, slightly hampered after 5 out, led from 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Outlander (11-10) by 2l, 9 ran.
Le Mercurey (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 11th, headed 13th, not fluent 5 out, led 4 out, clear and not fluent last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr beating Bristol De Mai (11-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Led, joined before 8th, led at 8th, headed and not fluent at 10th, disputed 3 out, travelled well to lead before 2 out, asserted before last, easily, won at Limerick 2m 4f Yielding in Oct beating Pairofbrowneyes (11-2) by 13l, 5 ran.
Net D'Ecosse (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Raced wide, prominent, led 4th, headed 10th, tracked leader until ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 25 3/4l behind Tea For Two (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Shadow Catcher 11-1 (11-5) Ran 3rd, not fluent at 2nd, 2nd at 5th, mistake at 7th, jockey lost reins briefly, on terms before 8th, 2nd at 8th, led at 10th, disputed 3 out, dropped to 4th before 2 out, weakened, eased run-in, last of 5, 22 3/4l behind Sub Lieutenant (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Celtic Thunder (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
