led, jumped slightly left, jumped slightly left and headed 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra and dropped to 3rd at last
tracked leaders, 3rd before halfway, pushed along 4 out, closer 3rd when mistake 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner
held up towards rear, moderate 5th from halfway, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, improved to lead on inner 3 out, went clear from next, pushed out briefly run-in, stayed on well, easily
prominent early, dropped to rear from 7th, no impression and behind from 4 out
held up towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, moderate 6th when slight mistake 3 out, no impression, never a factor
held up in rear early, went moderate 4th from 8th, moderate 4th and pushed along when jumped left 3 out, soon no impression
All eyes will be on THE TULLOW TANK as he makes his debut over fences. Unbeaten over timber last season until finding Vautour too quick for him in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown, he's now with Dessie Hughes and connections will be expecting him to make a successful start to his new career before going on to better things. Gordon Elliott takes him on with Mala Beach and Riverside City and the former should prove a worthy adversary. A dual winner in Grade 2 company over timber, he'll no doubt do better over a longer trip but his form is such that he'll find any chinks in the selections armoury. Stablemate Riverside City has already run over fences and though he'll be better for that experience he was beaten a very long way. Azorian has some fair form over hurdles and chasing has always looked more likely to be his game so he can go well in a race that should prove very informative.
Azorian (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden in 14th 2 out, soon weakened, eased straight, 20th of 25, well behind Deep Trouble (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl in May.
Mala Beach (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Chased leader in 2nd, closer before 3 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to challenge after 2 out, led before last, kept on well closing stages, won at Gowran Park 3m hdl G2 (1) in Jan beating Un Beau Matin (11-3) by 8l, 8 ran.
Rebel Cry (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in 7th after 3 out, no extra before next, 7th of 16, 16l behind Try It Sometime (10-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-95 in Apr.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 9-10fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 4 out and slight mistake 2 out, progress into 2nd early straight, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Vautour (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Whitesfort Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 6th halfway, hampered 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, no impression in 7th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Better B Quick (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Heroic Approach (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Cl up, 6th & rddn brfly 6out, 5th & no ex 2out, wknd, 5th of 15, 19l behind Call The Detective (12-2) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gs in Apr.
Riverside City (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 5th and mistake 7th, moderate 4th from halfway, no impression in moderate 4th from 3 out, 4th of 8, 43l behind Benemeade (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs in Oct.
