tracked leader, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, not fluent 5 out, 3rd and stumbled slightly approaching 2 out, no impression and slightly impeded last, one pace
chased leaders, progress before 6th, no impression and slightly impeded last, one pace
towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, slight mistake 2 out and no impression, one pace
tracked leaders, 2nd from 3 out, on terms straight, led approaching last, soon attempted to assert and went on, kept on same pace closing stages and headed close home
led, joined straight, headed approaching last where fell
towards rear, closed up to chase leaders from before 2 out, slight mistake last and left moderate 3rd, one pace run-in
chased leaders, pushed along in 6th from 2 out, switched right and closed from before last where left moderate 2nd and slightly impeded, ran on well run-in to lead close home
Simply Ned was a surprise winner of this a year ago when handed the race after finishing second to the long odds-on Min. He's back for another crack after a tremendous run at Cheltenham and won't go down without a fight. However, this looks a cracking renewal and FOOTPAD is taken to gain compensation for a below-par performance at Naas where a poor round of jumping ended with a last-fence fall. He was found with an over-reach after the race so that's a valid excuse and last season's four-times Grade 1 winner can put that behind him. His stable companion Great Fields will be no pushover as he lost his unbeaten record when falling at the second at Cork, a race in which Castlegrace Paddy won, but he was outstanding over fences last season, especially in the Ryanair at Punchestown when 11 lengths in front of Ordinary World where Ballyoisin was beaten when falling at the last.
Ballyoisin (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Made all, soon clear, reduced advantage 4th and 4 lengths lead halfway, extended advantage after 5 out and in command from next, stayed on well, slight mistake last, very easily, won at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Ordinary World (11-4) by 23l, 4 ran.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, left chasing leader in 2nd from 2nd, inclined to jump slightly left, closed from before 4 out, soon led travelling smoothly, asserted approaching 2 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating Doctor Phoenix (11-7) by 16l, 8 ran.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, impeded 2nd, bad mistake 3rd, moderate 3rd after next, 4th at 6th, ridden to chase winner from 2 out and no impression, slight mistake last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-4) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Footpad (FR) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake 3rd, mistake 6th, chasing winner when not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along, plenty to do in 4l second when fell at last, at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Great Field (FR) 4-7fav (11-10) Soon led, fell 2nd, at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Ordinary World (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leader, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, moderate 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, no impression and mistake next, no extra, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 23l behind Ballyoisin (11-7) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Simply Ned (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Pressed leader, led narrowly 4 out, joined 2 out, headed narrowly last, ridden and stayed on gamely flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
