chased leaders, pushed along and in rear halfway, blundered 5 out and soon no extra, completely tailed off
tracked leaders racing keenly, headway to lead from 6th, occasionally jumped left, travelling best entering straight and soon in command, stretched clear before last, impressive
tracked leaders, 4th when blundered badly and almost unseated rider 8th, steadily recovered to dispute 3rd 4 out, soon ridden and no extra next, behind when pulled up after 2 out, burst blood vessel
led early, 2nd halfway, no extra in 5th after 4 out, weakened, poor 4th after 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd before 3 out, no chance with easy winner from early straight and moderate 3rd at last
prominent, led after 1st until headed 6th, hesitant at 3rd, 3rd and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace but no chance with easy winner, moderate 2nd at last
Cheltenham Festival winner First Lieutenant has won two from three over fences but hasn't been as dominant as expected. There's undoubtedly more to come but he faces stiffer opposition here. Tony Martin was overjoyed by the performance of BOG WARRIOR on his chasing debut at Navan where his accurate jumping soon had his rivals in trouble and he can take this. Alpha Ridge hasn't fulfilled early promise over fences but useful hurdler Shinrock Paddy has yet to receive the stamina test he requires in his two starts over fences and there's no doubt he will get it here. Rivage D'Or is just the type to make a decent staying chaser and is progressing nicely.
Alpha Ridge (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Attempted to make all, jumped left 8th, still travelling well and clear of remainder with winner from before straight, headed inside final furlong and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Last Instalment (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Oct.
Bog Warrior (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Made all, asserted before last, easily, won at Navan 2m beg chs in Nov beating Flemenstar (11-12) by 8l, 18 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 4-6fav (11-6) Waited with behind leaders, improved to lead before 2 out, went right at last, pushed out run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Stephanie Kate (10-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, no extra from 4 out, 20th of 25, well behind Groody Hill (10-3) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 sft in Nov.
Rivage D'Or (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Soon chased leaders, closed from before straight, 3rd 2 out, led travelling well approaching last, clear and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs gd in Oct beating Toon River (11-12) by 4l, 16 ran.
Shinrock Paddy (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Disputed lead, slight advantage 2 out, strongly pressed and narrowly headed last, no impression under pressure on winner run-in, 2nd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Lambro (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chs in Nov.
