tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out) and soon ridden to challenge, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
led or disputed, led before 2 out (usual 3 out), pressed after 2 out, asserted and 2 lengths lead early run-in, soon ridden and hung right, strongly pressed close home, headed post
mid-division, jumped left and bumped rival 5th, 7th halfway, pushed along in 7th when collided with rival 2 out (usual 3 out), no extra
always behind and soon detached, mistake 1st, in touch in rear 5 out (usual 6 out), pushed along and no extra approaching straight, never a factor
held up in touch, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th after 2 out (usual 3 out), no extra
held up in touch, bumped 5th, 4th halfway, ridden in 4th after 2 out (usual 3 out), no impression before last, kept on one pace
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, 6th halfway, slow 4 out (usual 5 out), ridden and no impression in 6th after 2 out (usual 3 out), no extra
led or disputed, not fluent 5 out (usual 6 out), 2nd before 2 out (usual 3 out), challenged after 2 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression early run-in, kept on well to press leader close home, led post
NonRunner
NonRunner
Dorking Cock had Vaucelet almost four lengths behind when winning this last year but this looks a stronger renewal. The latter has been in excellent form between the flags and beat Coastal Tiep narrowly at Portrush in October. THE STORYTELLER (NAP) won the Grade 1 Champion Chase here just over two years ago and has been in top form between the flags. He looks the one to beat though Singing Banjo failed by just a head to hold off Delta Work over the banks course at Punchestown and the winner would be fancied for this.
Coastal Tiep (FR) 3-1 (12-2) Ww in 3rd/4th, closer order 3out, eff to chall 2out, ev ch bef last, no ex cl hm, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Vaucelet (12-2) at Portrush 3m in Oct.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Not fluent 1st, held up behind leaders, kept wide, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 10th, no impression on leaders from 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, dist behind Billaway (12-0) at Punchestown 3m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Down The Highway (IRE) 8-1 (12-2) Rr of mid-div, 10th 1/2way, prog to cl 5th bef 4out, nt qckn early str in 4th, wknd from 2out & drpd to 6th, 6th of 12, 21l behind Brain Power (12-2) at Borris House 3m Yielding in Dec.
Dylrow (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chsd ldr, 8th 1/2way, wknd & held in 7th aftr 4out, eased & bhnd when pu bef last, at Quakerstown 3m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Samurai Cracker (IRE) 12-1 (12-2) Mid-div, prog to disp ld bef 4out, mstk 4out, rdn aftr 2out, going ok in 3rd bef str, 4l 3rd last, drpd to 5th flat, 5th of 10, 5 1/4l behind January Jets (12-2) at Kirkistown 3m sft in Nov.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 3 1/2l 3rd 6out, cl 2nd from 3out, no ex from 2out, well held in 6l 2nd bef last, ko, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Notice To Close (12-2) at Dromahane 3m hvy in Nov.
The Storyteller (IRE) 4-7 (11-6) Mid-div, 2nd 1/2way, clsr bef 3out, disp bef 2out, asserted well bef last with 3l adv, kow & gng away fin, won at Quakerstown 3m Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Some Are Lucky (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
Vaucelet (FR) 1-2 (12-2) Made all, chall bef 2out, qknd well to last, kow run-in, won at Portrush 3m in Oct beating Coastal Tiep (12-2) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Brain Power (IRE) 4-6 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 5th 1/2way, brfly jnd ldr 4out, slw 4out & drpd to 4th, rejnd ldr aftr 3out, wo bef str, sn in command, won at Borris House 3m Yielding in Dec beating Hardline (11-11) by 7l, 12 ran.
Singing Banjo (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 16th, led 18th, mistake 6 out, joined 3 out, headed next, led again before last, ridden and headed final 100 yards, rallied close home, just failed, 2nd of 17, shd behind Delta Work (11-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Nov.
