ran 4th, closer 5 out, headway to lead 2 out, travelled well and 2 lengths lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in
disputed lead, led after 6 out, pushed along before 3 out and headed 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
disputed lead, headed after 6 out, ridden and no impression in 4th after 2 out, left 3rd last, no extra
always rear, jumped right, detached before 8th, no extra 5 out, behind and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace when mistake and unseated rider last
Willie Mullins has won this five times in seven years with Gordon Elliott successful in the other two. The former runs Bellshill, who has won half of his 16 races including a Grade 2 over fences just over a year ago for which he's penalised. He's also won at the highest level over hurdles but hasn't run since last year's RSA at Cheltenham and the concession of 8lb to the race-fit MALA BEACH may prove beyond him. Gordon Elliott's charge pulled up behind shock winner Edwulf in the Irish Gold Cup but won the hugely competitive Troytown Handicap at Navan earlier and has a very good record in this sort of grade. He was beaten a couple of lengths by A Genie In Abottle at Galway in October but the latter has disappointed in his last two starts and need to get back on track. Val De Ferbet hasn't recaptured the form he showed when scoring at this level at Cork in April while the selection's stable companion Lord Scoundrel has been badly out of form.
Bellshill (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, headway 14th, 3rd 3 out, no impression before next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Might Bite (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
A Genie In Abottle (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear before 5 out, no extra and detached approaching straight, weakened, 9th of 15, dist behind Monbeg Notorious (10-2) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Led, joined 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and headed, soon pushed and briefly on terms again, headed approaching straight and dropped to 4th, left 3rd and slightly impeded approaching 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Admiral Brian (11-0) at Clonmel 3m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Champagne Harmony (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leader, 6th after 7th, 5th at 9th, mistake at 10th, 4th after 3 out, mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Galway 2m 7f hcp sft in Aug.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Slightly slow 1st, soon chased leader in 2nd, slightly slow 7th, soon dropped to rear, reminder 9th, pushed along next, ridden and no impression 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Mala Beach (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, 9th at 7th, slow jump 8th, soon pulled up, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
