chased leaders early, slight mistake 1st, soon mid-division in 5th, mistake and ridden 3 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 3rd before last, 4th last, kept on one pace run-in
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 5th, ridden entering straight, headed last, kept on run-in, no extra closing stages
held up towards rear, ridden into 6th entering straight, 5th and no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th and mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden in rear and no impression before 3 out
held up towards rear, closer in 6th 4 out, 4th 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on into 3rd last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd 2 out, travelled well entering straight, ridden into 2nd before last, led last, kept on well under pressure run-in, asserted closing stages
led, jumped left and brushed wing 3rd, headed 5th where mistake, dropped to 4th and pushed along 3 out, lost place approaching 2 out where jumped left and brushed wing, soon no extra
Sizing Europe won this in 2012 but was beaten a long way a year ago. He reappeared with a cracking victory over Road To Riches at Gowran and was nowhere near his best in heavy ground at Clonmel last month so he shouldn't be written off just yet. Ballycasey, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and fences, didn't have much to do at Gowran last time but at least showed he was back to something like his best after a couple of disappointments but Alan King's decision to send UXIZANDRE here should pay off. Runner-up in a Cheltenham Grade 1 to Taquin Du Seuil, he went one better at Aintree and looked as though he's still progressing when beating Simply Ned back at Cheltenham last month. Hidden Cyclone was only just beaten in this a year ago and the Ryanair runner-up would be a threat to all if managing to complete without mishap.
Ballycasey (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Made all, hung briefly left on bend after 3rd, ridden before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs hvy in Nov beating Followmeuptocarlow (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, ran freely early, mistake 5 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 3rd and mistake 2 out before left 2nd, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Rebel Fitz (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) in Apr.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led, mistake 3rd, challenged 4 out and headed before next, ridden in 2nd 2 out, stayed on again to press leader last where fell (poor visibility), in a race won by Home Farm (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Mallowney (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway from 5 out, 3rd travelling well 3 out, ridden and led next, strongly pressed run-in, headed at line, 2nd of 10, ns behind Felix Yonger (11-10) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1).
Moscow Mannon (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistakes 5th and 8th, bad mistake 5 out, ridden after 3 out, mistake and dropped to 3rd 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Ballycasey (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs hvy in Nov.
Savello (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd 4 out, ridden and improved into 2nd when slight mistake 2 out, slight mistake again at last and dropped to 3rd, kept on same pace from last, just denied 2nd, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Simply Ned (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, close 3rd 2 out, hit last, driven and hung left flat, went 2nd towards finish, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Uxizandre (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m lst chs (1) sft in Nov.
Twinlight (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders early, slow jump 3rd and lost position, in rear when mistake 6th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Felix Yonger (11-10) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1), 10 ran.
Uxizandre (FR) 15-8fav (11-5) Made all, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m lst chs (1) sft in Nov beating Simply Ned (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, close up and slight mistake 6th, soon disputed, 2nd 6 out, ridden in 3rd before straight, no extra before 2 out, 6th of 7, 19l behind Champagne Fever (11-1) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Nov.
