chased leaders, 9th halfway, some progress 2 out and 7th entering straight, pushed along and went 5th before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th entering straight and 4th before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, slow 10th and in rear next, soon pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 4th entering straight, no impression in 7th before last, no extra
led, pushed along and headed entering straight, dropped to 3rd last, no impression and kept on one pace run-in
in rear, mistake and unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, progress to lead entering straight, ridden and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders and kept wide, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 2 out and soon dropped towards rear, no extra approaching last
held up towards rear, 10th halfway, good progress into 3rd entering straight, went 2nd last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
chased leaders on outer, 8th halfway, ridden after 2 out and 6th approaching last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden straight and no extra in 8th before last
The last nine favourites have been beaten though the winner generally attracts support. The veteran Seabass is still a force to be reckoned with judged on his recent victory over hurdles and is 19lb lower than when at his peak in 2013. Blood Cotil landed a lucrative novices' handicap at Punchestown in May but has been raised 12lb and Fine Rightly looks to have more of a chance after landing a tough Navan handicap last month. Killer Crow is very progressive and at the right end of the weights but a chance is taken on his stable companion CAUSE OF CAUSES. Gordon Elliott's charge landed the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March before finishing eighth in the Grand National. He'll have come on a bundle for his run in the Paddy Power last month and a slog through the mud here is just what's required.
Blood Cotil (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, 11th after 4th, tight for room after 8th, progress on inner 5 out, 3rd approaching straight, on terms before 2 out, soon led, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in,, won at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in May beating Irish Cavalier (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
Fine Rightly (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well to lead 2 out, 2 lengths advantage last, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Fever Pitch (10-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 20-1 (11-3) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 4 out, 12th of 28, 36 1/2l behind Minella Foru (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Los Amigos (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, progress into 6th 4 out, ridden entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 10th of 28, 19 1/2l behind Minella Foru (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Seabass (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Disputed lead, ridden and led 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Noble Emperor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Rivage D'Or (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, dist behind Josies Orders (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gs in Dec.
Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Always rear, pulled up before 11th, at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Heathfield (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pecked 1st, some progress and mistake 3 out, ridden in 13th 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 9th of 28, 17l behind Minella Foru (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Killer Crow (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Rear of mid-division early, chased leaders before 6th, 8th from 7th, not fluent 9th, closed from 3 out, soon disputed 2nd, quickly in pursuit of leader, every chance from 2 out, slight mistake last, soon one pace, 2nd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Pairofbrowneyes (10-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Hash Brown (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Bumped rival 1st, soon raced in 7th, pecked 7th, not fluent 3 out, disputed moderate 6th approaching straight and no impression, kept on, 6th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Dysios (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
Fever Pitch (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute before 3 out, headed next, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Fine Rightly (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in 16th entering straight, kept on one pace, 12th of 21, dist behind Forever Gold (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
