tracked leaders, close 4th on inner 3 out, ridden in 4th next, 4th at last, ran on well to go 3rd close home
mid-division, moderate 7th 3 out, no impression in 7th when fell next
tracked leaders, close 3rd 3 out, ridden to disputed lead from next, led narrowly at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, close 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
led, strongly pressed after 3 out, joined and ridden next, soon headed, dropped to 3rd when mistake at last, dropped to 4th and no extra close home
prominent, mistake 2nd, weakened from 4 out, behind when mistake 2 ut
always in rear, behind when slightly hampered 2 out
always towards rear, no impression under pressure from 4 out
tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, close 2nd 3 out, ridden to disputed lead 2 out, narrowly headed at last, stayed on well run-in, just failed
This has attracted some potentially smart performers. Willie Mullins had a very strong entry at the five-day stage and relies on Terminal, who arrived from France with a big reputation which he hasn't quite lived up to. He may do better over fences but his overall form to date doesn't match that of most of his rivals. ALDERWOOD's chasing introduction at Navan was an anti-climax as the Punchestown Champion Novice hurdler slipped up on the Flat when battling on. He appeared unlikely to win and Darwins Fox would probably have finished in front of him anyway but that should have put him right and he's given another chance. Canaly has come up against some smart performers while Archie Meade did very well over hurdles and chasing was always likely to be his game.
Alderwood (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no impression on leaders but staying on at one pace when slipped up inside final furlong, in a race won by Sword Of Destiny (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Archie Meade (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Led, joined 3rd, headed 5th, led again 4 out, pressed last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, all out, won at Sligo 2m 4f hdl gd in May beating Doctor Deejay (11-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Canaly (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, sprawled on landing 3 out and no impression on first 2 before next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Make A Track (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Darwins Fox (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Led, headed after 4th, disputed lead again 4 out (usual 6 out), regained lead after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out (usual 3 out) and ridden, headed after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Sword Of Destiny (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Golanbrook (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, disputed from 4th until after 6th, dropped to 4th approaching 4 out and no impression early straight, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Marito (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Kennoway (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd, no extra in 5th after 4 out, weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Baily Green (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) hvy in Oct.
Lucky Spring (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent when fell 2nd, in a race won by Dream Function (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs, 15 ran.
Mazuri Cowboy (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division when hampered and dropped to rear 2nd, 12th halfway, headway into 4th before 3 out, distant 3rd early straight, left moderate 2nd after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 12l behind Dream Function (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs.
Please Talk (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, no extra after 3 out and distant 4th when unseated rider next, in a race won by Dream Function (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs, 15 ran.
Star Neuville (FR) 20-1 (10-1) Always behind, mistake and struggling 9th, never involved, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Goulanes (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Terminal (FR) 4-6fav (11-8) Made all, pressed from 5 out, ridden and challenged before 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m 6f hdl gd in May beating Beachdale Lad (11-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
