tracked leaders, 7th halfway, mistake 5th and lost place, ridden to go 8th after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
held up towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on inner into 9th halfway, 6th entering straight and switched left to go 4th at last, kept on under pressure run-in, no impression on first 2 closing stages
settled towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, progress 2 out and good headway on outer to challenge entering straight, led last and soon asserted, eased close home and just held on
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden before last and no extra run-in
prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching next, weakened
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th approaching 2 out, soon no extra
led, strongly pressed 2 out and headed approaching last where dropped to 6th, no extra
rear of mid-division, never a factor, kept on one pace
tracked leaders when fell 4th
tracked leaders, 8th halfway, smooth headway to challenge approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in
rear of mid-division on outer, 11th halfway, 6th travelling well approaching 2 out, no extra entering straight, weakened
towards rear on outer, some headway into 10th approaching 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders when brought down 4th
mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden in 7th after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in without troubling leaders
always towards rear, tailed off
prominent and tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear on inner, smooth headway approaching 2 out and went 5th entering straight, ridden and stayed on well run-in, just failed
tracked leaders on inner, 6th halfway, no extra approaching 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last
Not surprisingly, there's a huge and competitive line-up for this massive prize with Lexi's Boy and Unknown Rebel attempting to emulate Overturn and win this for the UK. Both are four-year-olds, however, and only one of that age has won this in the last 22 years though the former is a superb prospect on a fair mark and like Kevin Ryan's charge has been in action on the Flat to sharpen him for this task. Blazing Tempo won the Plate last year and can revert to hurdling on a massive 22lb better terms. He'll definitely have been trained with the race in mind as will his stablemates Drive Time, a fine prospect who beat Kalellshan on the Flat at Killarney in his warm-up race, and the consistent Rattan. Last year's winner Moon Dice is 16lb higher this time and fourth-placed The Real Article can gain his revenge while Captain Cee Bee also ran very well and should get much closer. Plan A, seventh a year ago, is another who has been trained for the race and there's no better man than Gordonn Elliott to prepare one for a big event but this can go to REBEL FITZ. He's won four of his eight races over hurdles and appears to be on the upgrade judging by his victory over Captain Cee Bee at Tipperary - he doesn't look overburdened for his handicap debut despite a 6lb penalty.
The Real Article (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, under pressure in 5th into straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace without threatening, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Rebel Fitz (11-7) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jul.
Moon Dice (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders to 4th, behind from 3 out, 24th of 26, 29l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Waited with, a bit slow 4 out and a bit to do after, closed after next, ridden in pursuit of winner from before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Rebel Fitz (11-7) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jul.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd for much, travelling well into straight, led after 2 out, pressed before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jul beating Captain Cee Bee (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Behind, headway on outside before 2 out, driven to lead narrowly towards stands' side rail before last, went left and headed last, soon ridden, kept on, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 26, 1l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Whatever Jacksays (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Made all and jumped well, went on 4 out, stayed on strongly from next, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in May beating Capellanus (11-5) by 14l, 15 ran.
Whatuthink (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Made all, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly to assert from before last, eased closing stages, won at Down Royal 2m hdl sft in Jun beating Alpine Eagle (11-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Benash (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Soon mid-division, jumped right 4th and 5th, progress 6 out, close up when bad mistake 4 out, no extra in 4th from next, 10th of 16, well behind Bullock Harbour (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 5f beg chase gs in Jun.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leader, fell 3 out, in a race won by Whatuthink (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hdl sft in Jun, 9 ran.
Tornedo Shay (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led early, prominent, led again before 2 out, ridden clear straight, slight mistake last, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gs in May '11 beating Son Amix (11-9) by 4l, 17 ran.
Drive Time (USA) 10-1 (10-6) Always prominent and disputed lead at stages, slight mistake 6th, headed from 3 out but remained prominent, stayed on best under pressure run-in to lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Apr beating Marito (10-10) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Plan A (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, 3rd when hampered after 2 out, challenged and every chance approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, no extra and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 26, 2 1/4l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Rattan (USA) 22-1 (11-0) Soon mid-division, 7th approaching straight, good progress on inner to be close up 2 out, on terms and every chance run-in, got close with winner, stayed on well, just failed, 2nd of 18, hd behind Satu (9-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May.
Run With The Wind (IRE) 15-8 (11-9) Chased leaders, closer order from 4 out, travelling well before next, soon challenged, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 1f nh nov hdl in Jul beating Thomas Edison (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lexi's Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Made all, hit 2 out, driven clear between last 2, not fluent last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Apr beating Sadler's Risk (11-12) by 4l, 13 ran.
Princeton Plains (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Waited with towards rear, closed into 5th before straight, ridden to gain narrow lead when slight mistake last, soon joined and pressed, kept on best to assert closing stages, won at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep beating Delphi Mountain (9-10) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Blazing Tempo (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Not fluent, behind until pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Unknown Rebel (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, reduced lead approaching straight, headed and no extra when short of room before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 9l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 7-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, smooth headway to challenge approaching last, narrow lead and bad mistake last, soon recovered and ridden to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl in Jul beating Streamtown (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Way We Were (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 2nd after 2 out, no impression leader before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Vast Consumption (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr.
Oilily (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Soon prominent, dropped to 5th 2 out, stayed on well under pressure without threatening run-in, 4th of 18, 1 3/4l behind Satu (9-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May.
Karabak (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 15th of 18, well behind Drive Time (10-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Apr.
Discoteca 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 8, 18l behind Train Of Thought (11-0) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul.
