always behind, ridden along in rear at 4th, behind 6 out, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 7th and ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, jumped left and led at 5th, headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd 2 out, 2nd again before last, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, progress 5 out, went 3rd 4 next, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 8th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
towards rear, reminder 6th, under pressure when mistake 6 out, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always towards rear, moderate 9th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders, fell 2nd
led and jumped left throughout, jumped badly left 5th and headed, jumped badly left again 6th, regained lead 5 out, ridden entering straight, headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in
rear of mid-division, bad mistake 2nd, mistakes 7th and 8th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along 5 out, closer in 6th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
rear of mid-division, headway 6 out, 6th next, ridden in 5th 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, close 3rd entering straight, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
This should be the most interesting race on the card and the best novice chase seen so far this season. Willie Mullins has had a couple of setbacks with his novices though also plenty of triumphs. Alelchi Inois lost his unbeaten record over fences when pulling up after a bad blunder in the race won by Chancol at Punchestown. He'll need to do much better here and is by no means certain to beat stablemates Perfect Gentleman, who looked a cracking staying prospect at Cork and is reunited with his regular partner, and VALSEUR LIDO, who gets the nod. Bryan Cooper is the owner's retained rider and he was on board when the five-year-old produced an impressive performance on his chasing debut at Punchestown. He's a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and just gets the vote over another exciting prospect in The Tullow Tank. A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, he could hardly have been more impressive on his chasing bow here earlier this month and could easily turn out to be a star. Apache Stronghold is also a classy hurdler who made a cracking start over fences at Down Royal and he won't be dismissed easily.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Prominent and disputed early, soon chased leaders, close 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 5 out, left in lead 2 out, ridden and challenged before last, kept on well run-in (poor visibility), won at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs sft beating As De Ferbet (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 11-8fav (11-10) Chased leader, moderate 2nd from 3rd, bad mistake 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Chancol (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft, 6 ran.
Apache Stronghold (IRE) 3-10fav (11-12) Made all, not fluent 1st, travelling well when jumped slightly left 2 out, pushed out briefly after last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs in Oct beating Thunder And Roses (11-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th after 6th, jumped left next and reminder, 4th 4 out, 3rd before straight, challenged 3 out, on terms 2 out where slight mistake, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f nov chs in Oct beating Lots Of Memories (11-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Blacklough (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Towards rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Indevan (11-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) in Oct, 7 ran.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear, never a factor, 12th entering straight, no impression from 2 out, 12th of 26, 30l behind Shutthefrontdoor (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs (1) in Apr.
Followmeuptocarlow (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Ballycasey (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs hvy.
Perfect Gentleman (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Prominent, soon 3rd, 2nd from 5 out, challenged 2 out, soon on terms, rider lost whip run-in but stayed on best, won at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft beating Sadler's Risk (11-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Real Steel (IRE) 11-8 (11-12) Soon led, edged slightly right on bend after 5th, almost joined 8th, stayed on well under pressure to assert run-in, won at Naas 2m 3f beg chs sft beating Le Vent D'Antan (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Disputed lead when pecked 1st, tracked leaders after, soon 4th, impeded 5 out, soon led, not fluent 2 out, pressed and joined after, not match winner and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Perfect Gentleman (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved to lead on inner 3 out, went clear from next, pushed out briefly run-in, stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs beating Mala Beach (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Allied Victory (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Close up, led 2nd, mistake 4th, headed 6 out, badly impeded next, soon no extra, 5th of 6, 47l behind Perfect Gentleman (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft.
Valseur Lido (FR) 8-11fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, 4th after 4th, slight mistake 7th, close up 5 out, led into straight, clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily,, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft beating Champagne James (11-12) by 11l, 12 ran.
