held up in mid-division, progress into 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd and no impression on leaders before last, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, bad mistake 7th, soon towards rear, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened
chased leaders, disputed from 7th, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace
led and disputed, led 2 out, ridden before last, headed last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in mid-division, slightly hampered 4 out, ridden and no impression before next
always towards rear, mistake 8th, never a factor
slight mistake 1st, always towards rear, jumped left 8th, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, ridden in moderate 9th and no impression 3 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, improved into 3rd 3 out, pushed along briefly into 2nd after 2 out, jumped into lead last, asserted run-in, easily
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 5th entering straight, soon no extra
mid-division, slight mistakes 5th and 9th, fell 4 out
Gordon Elliott saddles three for this intriguing beginners' chase with Gars De Sceaux, a winner between the flags and of maiden and novices' hurdles, looking the pick of the trio. Henry De Bromhead and Willie Mullins both have two entries with the former's progressive hurdler Ain't That A Shame, who beat the smart Churchstonewarrior at Thurles in February, looking best of his pair though it's the champion trainer who looks to hold the key. Fighter Allen should make a better chaser than hurdler and goes well fresh but STATTLER looks the class-act of the race. A winning bumper and hurdler, he contested three Grade 1 novice hurdles in the spring with placed efforts at Leopardstown and Punchestown the highlights. Outside The Door has won a couple of minor handicaps over timber but is obviously progressing and has a chaser's pedigree.
Ain't That A Shame (IRE) 5-4 (11-6) Led 1st, joined next and soon headed, chased leader, disputed before 4 out, led before 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn hvy in Feb beating Churchstonewarrior (12-0) by 3l, 16 ran.
Baptism Of Fire (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, disputed 6th after 5th, slight mistake 8th, closed and switched right before 2 out, soon no extra, mistake last and eased, 18th of 25, dist behind Capodanno (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Column Of Fire (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division early, mistake at 1st, in rear at 3rd, under pressure 6th, no impression, never a factor, last of 18, dist behind Farouk D'Alene (12-0) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
Farceur Du Large (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, 6th halfway, some headway 3 out and 4th entering straight, no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 10 1/2l behind French Dynamite (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
Fighter Allen (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Led, joined before 2 out where slight mistake, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Lifetime Ambition (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f Yielding in Apr.
Gars De Sceaux (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress entering straight and on terms 3 out, led travelling well approaching last, pecked slightly at last, went clear run-in, very easily, won at Navan 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Ragnar Lodbrok (11-6) by 9l, 7 ran.
Glenloe (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, 9th when hampered 5 out, ridden in 8th before straight, went 5th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Sumos Novios (11-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Mercury Lane (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Towards rear, 14th after 6th, slightly hampered at 8th, no impression 3 out, modest last headway, never a factor, 10th of 18, dist behind Bob Olinger (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Outside The Door (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, led bypassing 4 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 3m hcp sft in Oct beating Temptationinmilan (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 20 ran.
Portstorm 33-1 (10-12) In rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and plenty to do 4 out, stayed on well from 3 out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 27l behind Papa Tango Charly (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Stattler (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and joined after 2 out, headed entering straight, no extra and kept on one pace, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 13 1/4l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-11) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Thunderosa (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Mid-division early, 16th approaching halfway, soon pushed along, under pressure from 5 out, no impression approaching 3 out, 14th of 20, dist behind Sassy Yet Classy (10-3) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
General Counsel (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Mid-division early, slight mistake 2nd and mistake 4th, dropped to rear at 6th, mistake 8th, no impression, 7th of 9, dist behind Lieutenant Command (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Nov.
Exchange Rate (GER) 150-1 (12-0) Held up disputing 6th, ridden and dropped to last 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 6th of 7, 16 1/2l behind I A Connect (11-11) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Nov.
Father Ailbe (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 3rd 5 out, disputed before 4 out, ridden entering straight, upsides between horses when fell heavily 2 out, at Cork 2m 5f sft in Nov.
The Last Throw (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Waited with, 11th halfway, pushed along from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, went moderate 7th approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 18, dist behind Baptism Of Fire (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Oct.
