chased leaders early, squeezed along 5th, dropped to last 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, a little slow 2nd, squeezed along 6th, under pressure in 4th approaching straight, soon 3rd, no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace
waited with, progress 6th, 2nd before straight, no impression from before 2 out where slight mistake, dropped to 3rd near finish
prominent, slight mistake 6th, a little slow 5 out, no extra approaching straight, pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, dropped to last 6th, a lot to do approaching 5 out, poor 6th into straight, went 4th at last, ran on well run-in without troubling comfortable winner
tracked leaders, led travelling before straight, went on from before 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders, 4th when a little untidy 5 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before straight
attempted to make all, went on approaching 5 out, soon reduced lead, headed and no extra from before straight, eased and tailed off
Willie Mullins won this in 2005 with Hedgehunter, who won the Grand National on his next start, and with The Midnight Club, who started favourite at Aintree and finished sixth last year. This time around it's PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE who carries the stable's hopes and his odds have halved to 14/1 for the big one in the past week. A Listed winner at Aintree for Howard Johnson last year, he can take this before heading to Liverpool. Also National-bound is Alfa Beat and he's another who has been attracting attention. Shark Hanlon's charge has mainly been racing over hurdles this season in an attempt to protect his handicap mark though he went up 10lb for scoring at Listowel in September. Magnanimity is still in the Gold Cup and was in brilliant form a year ago, chasing home Bostons Angel at Leopardstown and running well behind him in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. Well beaten in two Grade 1s this winter, he's very much better than that and a big run is anticipated though there appears no apparent reason why Bostons Angel shouldn't beat him again.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Led early, remained prominent and 2nd halfway, 4th before 2 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra from before last, 6th of 7, 19l behind Quel Esprit (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) gs.
Magnanimity (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, mistake next and sprawled badly on landing, dropped to rear, eased when beaten in straight, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Quel Esprit (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) gs.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Disputed lead, headed and slow jump 3 out, soon dropped 3rd, no extra from before 2 out, not fluent last and dropped to 5th near line, 5th of 6, 20l behind Apt Approach (11-2) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy in Jan.
Alfa Beat (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd until stumbled and unseated rider before 5th, in a race won by Ros Brin (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Jan, 20 ran.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) In touch, tracked leader 5th, led 21st, mistake 3 out, ridden and hard pressed after next, headed last, rallied passing elbow, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 40, 5l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '10.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 13-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, mistake and lost iron briefly 5 out, 7th 2 out, kept on same pace without troubling leaders, 5th of 25, 9l behind Groody Hill (10-3) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 sft in Nov.
Rare Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 6 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon weakened, 16th of 22, well behind Seabass (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch in Jan.
Quarryvale (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Made all, clear for much, reduced lead 4 out, still with nice advantage when left well clear from 2 out, good jump last and stayed on well, easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f chs hvy beating Raptor (11-1) by 11l, 11 ran.
