mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, went moderate 4th before last, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 8th, under pressure next, weakened from 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, slight mistake 1st and slow at 3rd, slight mistake 6th, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up in rear, headway 4 out, 8th next, improved into 4th 2 out, pushed along and led before last, clear early run-in, stayed on strongly, easily
towards rear, closer in 7th 3 out, headway into 4th when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
rear of mid-division, dropped to rear at 7th, pushed along at next, moderate 7th when unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd at 8th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, soon weakened
led, clear after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace without threatening winner run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, slight mistake 1st, weakened from 3 out, never a factor
Cause Of Causes, three times a winner at the Cheltenham Festival and last year's Grand National runner-up, seems to have been around forever but is still only ten. He's most likely warming up for the Festival again, a remark that also applies to last year's Grand Annual winner Rock The World. Gordon Elliott has three other entries with Jack Kennedy on board The Game Changer though his mount has gone off the boil since completing a double in the summer when he had Don't Touch It well beaten. Willie Mullins has three engaged and ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS is taken to make amends for his shock defeat by stable companion Polidam in a Grade B handicap at Navan. That was over 2m4f and the selection looked to be travelling easily before outstayed in the closing stages so this shorter trip will be more to his liking. The winner has since failed to stay 3m in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown but Daryl Jacobs is coming over for one booked ride so another big run is anticipated. Mallowney has a good record around here and will be spot-on after his run over hurdles last month.
Rock The World (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, 15th 4 out, no impression from next, 15th of 22, dist behind Balko Des Flos (10-10) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 4-7fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, closer in 4th 5 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd next, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Polidam (10-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Soon raced in 4th, not fluent 3rd and not always fluent jumping after, pushed along briefly 6th, under pressure after 3 out in 3rd, no extra from before last and dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 5, 17 3/4l behind The Game Changer (11-2) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Mid-division, bad mistake 7th and lost place, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 10th of 15, 28 1/4l behind Nearly Nama'd (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Mallowney (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Prominent, 3rd halfway, progress to 2nd 3 out, dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 11, 18 1/2l behind High School Days (10-13) at Thurles 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Townshend (GER) 33-1 (11-10) Bumped with rival at 1st, tracked leaders, dropped to last after 2 out, no extra approaching last, last of 5, 32 3/4l behind Death Duty (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
The Game Changer (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Prominent, 3rd from 3rd, lost place and no extra from 2 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Mick Jazz (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, no impression from 5 out, soon behind, 14th of 15, dist behind Nearly Nama'd (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Dysios (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Raced in 11th early, impeded 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening after, 9th of 18, 19 1/4l behind Tisamystery (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Elusive Ivy (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up, raced in 15th early, headway to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 18, 11 1/4l behind Tisamystery (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hampered 6th (bechers), headway 24th (2nd canal turn), effort when bumped 2 out, pressed winner last, soon ridden and every chance, one pace and held approaching elbow, 2nd of 40, 4 1/2l behind One For Arthur (10-11) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Tell Us More (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, bad mistake 2nd and headed, jumped left 6th, rear next, behind and not fluent last, 5th of 6, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Polidam (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division early, 14th at 7th, moderate 9th approaching 3 out, 7th into straight, no impression and impeded at last, kept on same pace, 11th of 28, 28 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
