led, mistake 7th, headed 9th, disputed briefly again next, disputed lead 3 out, headed entering straight, pushed along in 2nd approaching last, ridden at last, improved to dispute lead close home, led last strides
held up in last, hampered at 1st, pushed along briefly next, disputed 3rd from 5th, pushed along from halfway, last 5 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, jumped left at 1st, mistake at 7th, led 9th, mistake next and joined briefly next, joined 3 out, pushed along and led entering straight, ridden at last, strongly pressed and joined close home, headed and no extra last strides
tracked leaders in 3rd, disputed 3rd from 5th, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out
Edwulf was the shock winner last season when beating Outlander a neck with Anibale Fly falling 2 out when in touch. The latter went on to be placed in the Gold Cup and Grand National and his only start this season came over a trip much too short. Monalee couldn't live with Kemboy in the Grade 1 Savills Chase here at Christmas when Road To Respect and Bellshill were close behind and Outlander and Storyteller also in contention for most of the race. Balko Des Flos was impeded at a crucial stage while Road To Respect didn't get the run of the race and can come out on top this time. AL BOUM PHOTO (NAP) hasn't really proved he stays this far though may have won over the trip in a Grade 1 at Punchestown but for running out. He reappeared on New Year's Day at Tramore and gave the smart Total Recall 10lb and a beating and can enhance his Cheltenham prospects.
Bellshill (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th before last, no impression on leader last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Outlander (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Disputed, led before 4th, headed before 8th, mistake 7 out, dropped to 4th next, ridden in 6th before 2 out, under pressure entering straight, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Road To Respect (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Settled mid-division, pushed along when stumbled after 3 out, ridden in 7th entering straight, 5th last, kept on well run-in, just held for 2nd at line, 3rd of 11, 7 1/2l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
The Storyteller (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, soon towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, stayed on into 6th last, kept on same pace run-in, 6th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Prominent, soon 3rd, disputed lead briefly 10th, slight mistake 12th, led from 5 out, went on travelling smoothly 3 out, pressed and ridden after 2 out, asserted from before last where edged right briefly on landing, stayed on well, won at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Jan beating Total Recall (11-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Anibale Fly (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Waited with, slightly impeded 2nd, moderate 5th after 4th, some headway straight, soon one pace, 6th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-4) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last, 9th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Edwulf 25-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace straight, 8th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Monalee (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Disputed early, chased leader from before 4th, 3rd halfway, 2nd 6 out, pressed leader next, disputed before 2 out, ridden in 2nd early straight, no impression on winner from last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 7 1/2l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slow and lost a few places 3rd, remote 10th 3 out, well beaten from next, 9th of 18, dist behind Walk In The Mill (10-3) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
