tracked leaders, dropped to 4th and ridden 4 out, no impression in a dispute of 5th when fell 2 out
attempted to make all, pressed on from 5 out, reduced lead and pressed 3 out, soon narrowly headed, no impression and kept on same pace closing stages
raced in 2nd, challenged 3 out, soon gained narrow lead, pressed and stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, improved from 5 out, 3rd next, kept on under pressure run-in without ever looking like getting to winner
waited with towards rear, progess to chase leaders approaching straight, no impression in a dispute of 5th when fell 2 out
chased leaders, dropped to last approaching straight, left a couple of places better and a little impeded 2 out, kept on same pace
waited with in rear, 6th and progress approaching straight, 4th from 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in
waited with, 6th for much, 7th approaching straight, soon no impression and left a couple of places better from 2 out
SIZING EUROPE has won this for the past two years on his way to better things and though he's getting near the veteran stage he shows no sign of slowing down. He had Rubi Light a couple of lengths behind in Leopardstown's Grade 1 Dial-A-Bet Chase in December and the latter looks the main threat along with Quito De La Roque, who beat the selection in the jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal two years ago though that was over 3m, which is his best trip. Roi Du Mee was beaten over six lengths by Quito De La Roque over this trip at Thurles in January and will need to improve while Baily Green will probably find at least one too good again.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, disputed from 7 out, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, no extra in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 28l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Apr.
Rubi Light (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 8th 4 out, no impression next, 7th of 14, 36l behind Klepht (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Apr.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Attempted to make all, ridden from 3 out, soon strongly pressed, headed 2 out, kept on same last from last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) sft in Apr.
Baily Green (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, weakened from next, no impression straight, 4th of 9, well behind Arvika Ligeonniere (11-10) at Punchestown 2m nov chs G1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 9-10fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led after 5 out, briefly headed next, clear 2 out, stayed on well from before last, won at Cork 3m chs Grade 3 (1) in Mar beating Pandorama (11-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Sumkindasuprstar (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Soon led, disputed from 7 out, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 16l behind Klepht (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Apr.
Laganbank (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Soon raced in moderate 5th, slight peck 3rd, still in that position approaching 2 out, lost place and no extra from before straight, last of 8, 25l behind Muzak (10-0) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Sep.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders mainly 5th on 1st circuit, hit 6th, went 3rd before 8th and 2nd briefly 3 out, no impression on winner approaching next and dropped to 4th, no extra, 4th of 7, 16l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-6) at Listowel 2m 4f chs 0-145 sft in Sep.