mid-division early, 12th from 12th, improved to track leaders 6 out, no extra from before straight and pulled up before last
soon prominent, led before 7th, headed briefly from 12th, still travelling smoothly straight, pressed when veered left and not fluent last, soon headed and kept on well without matching 1st 3, finished 4th, demoted to 5th
soon chased leaders, 5th 6 out, no extra from 3 out
tracked leaders, slightly impeded 7th, 5th from 12th, no extra and pulled up before 16th
mid-division early, 15th from 12th, no extra and pulled up before 16th
mid-division early, 13th from 12th, hampered and unseated rider 13th
prominent, fell 5th
waited with, fell 1st
held up, mistake and unseated rider 7th
mid-division early, soon chased leaders, 6th 6 out, no extra and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division early, impeded 7th, 11th from 12th, improved to chase leaders 6 out, headway and hampered at last, stayed on well run-in, finished 5th, promoted to 4th
waited with, hampered and pulled up after 7th
soon led, headed before 7th, close 7th from 12th, 3rd approaching straight, challenged and led from last, stayed on well, headed at line
soon tracked leaders, led briefly 12th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 6 out
soon chased leaders, 6th from 12th, fell 13th
tracked leaders, fell 7th
soon chased leaders, 8th from 12th, 4th 6 out, jumped left 3 out and 2 out, no extra from before last
soon tracked leaders, 4th from 12th, effort straight, stayed on well run-in to lead at line
mid-division early, 9th from 12th, closed to be prominent 6 out, every chance when hampered at last, no extra run-in
soon chased leaders, 10th from 12th, no extra and pulled up before 18th
held up, not fluent 7th, 17th from 12th, closer order 6 out, no extra and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division early, 16th from 12th, no extra and pulled up before 6 out
close up, fell 1st
soon chased leaders, brought down 5th
held up, brought down 5th
mid-division early, chased leaders when hit 5 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division early, brought down 5th
mid-division early, no impression from 5 out, no extra and pulled up before last
held up, brought down 5th
mid-division early, 14th from 12th, improved to chase leaders 6 out, effort straight, kept on well run-in without matching 1st 2
Our Duke last year was the first stayer to carry more than 11st to victory since Commanche Court at the turn of the century and that emphasises the task faced by Outlander and Bellshill. The latter undoubtedly has a touch of class but carries an 8lb penalty for his comeback win in a Grade 3 here and, in common with many of these, will have his stamina to prove. Stablemate Pairofbrowneyes has 9lb extra after winning the Leinster National at Gowran last month but is also prominent in the betting. Mall Dini and Squouateur were both well backed in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at Cheltenham but neither could get past the front-running Missed Approach and the pair are still seeking a first victory over the larger obstacles. Of the 30 declared runners, 13 are trained by Gordon Elliott. Of those 11 are owned by Gigginstown, as is second reserve Rogue Angel who won the race in 2016, and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Arkwrisht. Jack Kennedy and Davy Russell will probably have had first choice and partner the relatively-unexposed Monbeg Notorious, who is on a four-timer, and Dounikos respectively but Folsom Blue is also respected as he beat Isleofhopendreams to land the Grand National Trial at Punchestown and was fourth two years ago. Thunder And Roses won this contest in 2015 when trained by Sandra Hughes and was fourth last year, one place ahead of GENERAL PRINCIPLE. Both race off lower marks but, though Lisa O’Neill’s ride is better off at the weights, the softer surface this time will better suit JJ Slevin’s mount who could go close at decent odds as he’s been campaigned over inadequate distances recently and not been disgraced in any of his races this season, despite failing to make the frame.
Outlander (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, 8th 4 out, no impression after, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Bellshill (IRE) 8-13fav (11-8) Ran 4th, closer 5 out, headway to lead 2 out, travelled well and 2 lengths lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) sft in Feb beating A Genie In Abottle (11-6) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Chased leader, jumped slightly right at times, pushed along to close from 3 out, led between last 2, slightly slow at last, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Mossback (11-3) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Dounikos (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m sft in Mar.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace when mistake and unseated rider last, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Prominent, 2nd after 4th, on terms approaching straight, soon headed, no extra and one pace run-in, 5th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Monalee (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Towards rear, hampered 9th, good headway on outer after 4 out, led entering straight, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 7f hcp hvy in Mar beating Space Cadet (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 15 ran.
Kemboy (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Held up in touch in last trio, blundered 9th, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, disputed modest 3rd briefly after last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Shattered Love (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Moulin A Vent 4-1 (11-6) Led, bad mistake 2nd, raced on outer in straight and clear at stages, not fluent 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra, 3rd of 4, 19 1/2l behind Monbeg Notorious (11-3) at Navan 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Mall Dini (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Held up mid-division, took closer order 10th, pressed winner going well after 3 out, switched left and ridden after last, stayed on well towards finish, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 5-1fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway 3 out and ridden to lead entering straight, slow last and soon headed, rallied under pressure run-in to lead again closing stages, kept on well, won at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp hvy in Feb beating Isleofhopendreams (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.
Tell Us More (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in moderate 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, remote 4th at last, dropped to 5th close home, 5th of 6, 30 1/4l behind Great Field (11-12) at Navan 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Isleofhopendreams 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, some headway after 12th, good progress after 3 out and ridden to go 2nd approaching last, led early run-in and edged right under pressure, headed and no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Folsom Blue (10-11) at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp hvy in Feb.
Jetstream Jack (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) In rear, some progress into 7th when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, eased straight, last of 10, dist behind Spider Web (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Mar.
The Paparrazi Kid (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) A little keen, tracked leaders, lost position from 7th but in touch, 6th from 8th, one pace from before 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Val De Ferbet (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th when fell 9th, at Gowran Park 2m 7f hcp hvy in Mar.
Call It Magic (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Led, joined briefly 3rd, extended lead to 4 lengths halfway, jumped left 10th and reduced advantage before next, pushed along and strongly pressed 2 out, soon headed, ridden and no impression in 3rd approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Westerner Point (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Feb.
General Principle (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) In rear, mistake 5th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Spider Web (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Arkwrisht (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Led, mistake 3rd, joined briefly before halfway, mistake 4 out and joined, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Fitzhenry (10-10) at Naas 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) With leader, led narrowly 3rd until fell 12th, at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Sutton Manor (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 5th when fell 9th, at Gowran Park 2m 7f hcp hvy in Mar.
Westerner Point (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden and no impression after 4 out, hampered next, 4th and mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 25 1/4l behind Jett (11-8) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Feb.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in remote 5th 3 out, no impression went remote 4th close home, 4th of 6, 29 3/4l behind Great Field (11-12) at Navan 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Oscar Knight (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Soon mid-division, 9th approaching 8th, closed to track leaders approaching 2 out, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Total Recall (10-4) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Feb.
Squouateur (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Mistake 1st, towards rear, hampered 5th, headway 15th, tracked leaders 3 out, effort on inside before next, every chance last, no extra in clear 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 20, 5 1/2l behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Champagne Harmony (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always rear, jumped right, detached before 8th, no extra 5 out, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Killaro Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, stumbled on landing at 5th, improved to lead briefly 4 out, headed next, soon ridden, 5th entering straight, no extra, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Spider Web (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Woods Well (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd at last, no extra run-in, 5th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Glencairn View (10-10) at Navan 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
Fine Theatre (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge entering straight, under pressure in 3rd before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, went 2nd run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Koshari (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Forever Gold (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, detached after 5 out, no extra and pulled up before 3 out, at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp hvy in Feb.
