chased leaders early, dropped to moderate 12th approaching straight and no extra
chased leaders, dropped to moderate 9th approaching straight and no impression, one pace
prominent early, no impression approaching 6 out, dropped to moderate 15th approaching straight and no danger
prominent on outer, led approaching 4 out, went on approaching straight, pushed along to assert from 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
held up, not always fluent jumping and reminders 10th, soon no danger and pulled up
soon mid-division, mistake 8th and not fluent 15th, no extra from 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
hampered 8th, reminders 11th, pulled up before 17th
not always fluent jumping, pulled up before 6 out
held up, badly hampered 8th, went moderate 11th approaching straight, kept on same pace
chased leaders, not fluent 16th, no extra 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
fell 8th
soon mid-division, not always fluent jumping, ridden in moderate 7th approaching straight and no impression, kept on well without threatening run-in
mid-division early, headway into moderate 5th approaching 6 out, closed to chase winner approaching straight, no impression when mistake last, one pace
tracked leaders, on terms 14th, not fluent 5 out and headed, moderate 8th approaching straight, pulled up before last
soon mid-division, jumped left at times, dropped to moderate 14th approaching straight and no danger
soon mid-division, mistake 4 out, moderate 10th approaching straight, kept on same pace
rider without irons before 3rd and lost place, soon pulled up
held up, hampered 8th, improved to dispute moderate 4th approaching straight, slight mistake 3 out, soon no extra
led and disputed, headed 6th, on terms again 14th and slight mistake, headed approaching 4 out, dropped to moderate 6th approaching straight, pulled up before last
prominent, soon disputed lead, led 6th, headed 14th, pulled up before 5 out
held up, brought down 8th
under pressure 13th in last, pulled up before 14th
soon mid-division, moderate 6th approaching 6 out, disputed moderate 4th approaching straight, one pace after
no extra 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
held up, no impression from 5 out, moderate 13th approaching straight and no danger
not fluent 14th on outer, no impression from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division early, improved into moderate 4th approaching 6 out, moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon chased winner, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up, mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 18th
Gordon Elliott has ten of the 30 entries including the top three in the handicap. Incredibly, Gigginstown have 14 engaged and Bryan Cooper's presence on the hat-trick seeking General Principle suggests he's the pick of their battalions as he's been on board for his victories at Gowran and Limerick, the latest in Grade 3 company. Several of these ran in the Grand National just nine days ago including last year's winner of this Rogue Angel, who ran very well at Aintree until running out of steam and was wisely pulled up after the last. His stable companion Thunder And Roses, who won this in 2015, was impeded at the ninth and lost his rider at Aintree so he may do best of those who ran in the race. Jessica Harrington's yard is in outstanding form and Our Duke has come in for massive support in the ante-post market which is hardly surprising as he's already a Grade 1 winner over fences in just three starts and finished runner-up in another. A mark of 153 could be very lenient though the lack of experience and this longer trip has to be a concern. Haymount is the pick of Ruby Walsh and he showed his liking for a marathon when a close third to Tiger Roll in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and a 9lb pull in the weights should enable him to take his revenge. Harry Fry's Fletchers Flyer won a very tough handicap over 3m6f at the Punchestown Festival last year and looks as though he's been saved for this while Foxrock has been making hay in hunter chase company and is still capable of going well in this company. MINELLA FORU looked an outstanding prospect when landing the 2015 Paddy Power but has only had one subsequent run though Barry Geraghty's presence suggests he'll be ready for this and he's handed the vote.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) In rear, progress into 4th before 13th, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 15 1/2l behind Valseur Lido (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) gd in Nov.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 4 out, effort 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 23, 3 1/2l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Clarcam (FR) 25-1 (11-7) In touch early, behind from 9th, carried wide 12th (canal turn), no danger after, 16th of 29, dist behind Ultragold (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Our Duke (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Led, joined from before 3rd, soon headed, raced in 2nd after, not go with winner from 3 out, under pressure from next, pecked at last, kept on well without threatening run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Disko (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, racing keenly before 14th, hit 18th, mistake 20th, challenged 3 out, soon led, drawing clear when left further ahead soon after last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 4m (1) gs in Mar beating Missed Approach (11-6) by 3l, 18 ran.
Foxrock (IRE) 1-6fav (12-0) Made all, slight mistake 3 out and soon ridden, asserted last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hvy in Mar beating Maple Mons (11-1) by 13l, 6 ran.
Roi Des Francs (FR) 50-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 5th to 7th, with leader, led again narrowly after 12th, headed when carried wide by loose horse after 16th (water), remained prominent, lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 18th of 40, dist behind One For Arthur (10-11) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Game Changer (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 6th, weakened 4 out, pulled up, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd briefly 7th, 4th and outpaced after 3 out, well held next, 4th of 12, 18l behind Might Bite (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 22nd (2nd bechers), weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before last, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Minella Foru (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, soon raced in 5th, no impression from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Sutton Place (11-10) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent, when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 9th (valentines), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Abolitionist (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, progress 5 out, headway and brought wide to lead approaching 2 out, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Naas 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Folsom Blue (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Fletchers Flyer (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked winner, bumped 14th, challenged 3 out, every chance next, held last, no extra and dropped to 3rd 100 yards out, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Bigbadjohn (11-4) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) In touch when mistake 1st, mid-division, not fluent and reminder 4th, behind 9th, tailed off next, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 6th (bechers), blundered and unseated rider 15th (chair), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Raz De Maree (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 6th (bechers), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Haymount (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, mistake 10th (water), headway racing keenly 14th, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, left 3rd soon after last, finished well to gain on 2nd but no impression on winner, 3rd of 18, 3 3/4l behind Tiger Roll (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m (1) gs in Mar.
Stellar Notion (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Prominent on outer, lost place 9th, (valentines), soon behind, pulled up before 13th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) With leader, led 7th to 12th, close up, led again after 16th (water), made most after, headed after 4 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up after last, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Arbre De Vie (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, mistake 14th, pushed along and headway but still a bit to do when short of room stumbled and unseated rider soon after 3 out, at Cheltenham 4m (1) gs in Mar.
Dedigout (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Held up in last, slight mistake 4th and reminder, pushed along and trailing 5th, went remote 4th 5 out, soon no impression, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Roi Des Francs (11-10) at Down Royal 3m 2f Yielding in Mar.
General Principle (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slightly slow 6th, slight mistake 12th, 2nd from 3 out, on terms approaching straight, soon led, asserted between last 2, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 3m (1) sft in Mar beating Twiss's Hill (10-7) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bonny Kate (IRE) 6-1fav (11-3) Prominent, 3rd halfway, slow 9th, pushed along 3 out and 4th next, soon no extra and pulled up before last, at Naas 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders until blundered and unseated rider 16th, at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gs in Mar.
Sambremont (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, short of room and mistake 3 out, no impression when slight mistake next, no extra and pulled up before last, at Naas 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 27th, tracked leaders 5 out, went 2nd before last, soon ridden, kept on, no impression with winner, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Cause Of Causes (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gs in Mar.
Oscar Knight (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, closed travelling smoothly from 3 out, ridden approaching last where chasing winner when pecked slightly and no impression, one pace, 3rd of 12, 9 1/2l behind Seskinane (11-3) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hvy in Apr.
Tell Us More (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Not that fluent in rear, behind 5th, some headway before last, no impression, soon weakened, 21st of 25, dist behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Baie Des Iles (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders, close up before 3rd, soon on terms, headed and slightly slow 5 out, pushed along next, weakened in 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 9, dist behind Pleasant Company (11-0) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Double Seven (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, slight mistake 7th, dropped behind before 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Navan 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
Mystical Knight 5-2 (11-6) 2nd or 3rd from 1st, challenged 5 out, ridden before 3 out, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra last, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Rock The Kasbah (11-10) at Chepstow 3m (3) sft in Feb.
Another Hero (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Mid-division, hampered 4th, soon behind, no danger after, 13th of 24, 19 3/4l behind Domesday Book (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
