rear of mid-division, dropped to 6th at 9th, headway to 3rd entering straight, no impression on leaders, ridden and kept on 1f out, not trouble principals
raced 3rd, closed 2 out, 2nd at last, on terms after last, ridden and headed 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace
led, 3 lengths clear at 4th, slight mistake at 10th, reduced advantage 4 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 4th at last, weakened
towards rear, progress to 5th at 9th, no impression after last, kept on one pace entering straight
ran 4th, closed 2 out, improved to lead before last, joined after last, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well
rear, 8th at 7th, no impression in 7th before 2 out, detached and weakened after last, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, closer 4 out, progress to lead narrowly 2 out where mistake and headed, dropped to 3rd at last, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out
towards rear, 7th at 7th, under pressure and dropped to rear after 3 out, detached and weakened after last
This should be a very informative contest with Gordon Elliott having a real crack at the prize with three entries. Free Expression is owned by J P McManus so Barry Geraghty rides and his mount looked a very smart prospect in 2015 though had only one run last year when runner-up in this. His stable companion De Plotting Shed is another very useful hurdler making his debut over fences as is Sutton Manor, though the latter couldn't get close to PRESENTING PERCY in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Patrick Kelly's charge should have no problems making the grade over the bigger obstacles and his yard have another nice prospect in Mall Dini, who has already had six starts over fences and run well against stiff opposition. Davy Russell generally rides him so the fact that he chooses the selection is a pointer.
Champoleon (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Ran 4th, slight mistake at 4th, not fluent at 6th and soon 5th, 6th before 7th, dropped to rear at 8th, under pressure and detached after 3 out, late headway to moderate 4th, no danger, 4th of 7, 31l behind Robin Des Foret (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Oct.
De Plotting Shed (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th from 5th, 5th before straight, soon no impression and one pace, 4th of 12, 19 1/2l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Free Expression (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, no impression in 3rd 2 out, pushed along to go 2nd run-in, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Nambour (11-12) at Galway 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Mall Dini (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway under pressure bypassing omitted 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, always held, 5th of 24, 3l behind Domesday Book (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Presenting Percy 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th after next, no impression straight, 6th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Champagne Classic (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Shower Cross (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 5th from 4th, dropped to remote 8th before straight and one pace, 6th of 11, dist behind Tout Est Permis (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Sutton Manor (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Pushed along away from start, prominent, slight mistake 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, soon on terms briefly, no extra and one pace approaching last, 5th of 25, 8 1/4l behind Minella Awards (11-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Whats In It For Me (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, no extra before last, 8th of 18, 22 1/4l behind Just Janice (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
