disputed lead, ridden after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead 6th, ridden 3 out, soon headed, 3rd next, kept on same pace from last
always behind, pushed along briefly 3rd, ridden 5 out, soon no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders, dropped to 5th 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one paced from next
held up in touch in rear, progress into close 4th 4 out, headway to dispute lead on inner after 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd from last
disputed lead early, slight mistake 6th and headed, soon ridden, trailing after 4 out
tracked leaders, closer in 3rd when slight mistakes 8th and 9th, headway to dispute lead on outer after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well run-in
Noel Meade has won the last two but Westhaven has struggled at the weights since scoring at Tipperary in July. Russian Regent is in very good form but could find the ground on the fast side so preference is for FIVE O'CLOCK TEA. Tony Martin's charge has yet to win over fences but went close at Killarney last time after a comfortable victory on good going over hurdles at Perth. As De Pique has had little racing for his age and, after scoring between the flags at Oldtown in March, was beaten just a head at Punchestown a fortnight ago.
Westhaven (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, jumped right 1st, pushed along briefly after 2nd, 8th from 3rd, pushed along from 8th, under pressure from 10th, no extra from before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, 43l behind Make A Track (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs.
Russian Regent (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 6 out, headed run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mister First (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Keep On Track (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, disputed lead from 24th, led 27th, ridden 3 out, dropped to 3rd before 2 out, left 2nd 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on one paced, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Uncle Junior (11-7) at Punchestown 4m crs cntry chs (5yo+) gd in Apr.
Close Review (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, dropped towards rear 8 out, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Embracing Change (11-6) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Five O'clock Tea (FR) 11-8fav (10-11) Held up, 6th halfway, closer 4 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, no impression in 2nd before last where mistake, kept on same pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Baby Whizz (11-11) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs 0-102 sft.
Whisky Galore 25-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 2nd from next, niggled along before 5 out, ridden in 4th before 4 out, no extra next and weakened, last of 6, well behind Pumbaa (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp chs hvy in Nov.
As De Pique (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Soon chased leaders, 6th from 6th, close up 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, not fluent 2 out, soon wandered about, kept on to close on eased winner near finish, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Fr Humphrey (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-109 gd.
Indian Fairy (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Soon disputed lead, took keen hold, led 5th, still on terms approaching straight, close 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace,, 4th of 11, 12l behind Mallards In Flight (9-5) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp chs.
