always towards rear, no extra from 3 out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden in 7th after 3 out, 6th under pressure entering straight, no extra
rear of mid-division, blundered 5 out, in rear when mistake next, no extra
chased leaders on outer, 6th halfway, mistake 10th, 5th 3 out, no extra after next, weakened in straight
soon led, joined halfway and headed before 11th, 3rd 3 out, 4th under pressure entering straight, no extra from before last
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 3 out, slow jump next and driven along in 3rd entering straight, no impression on winner from before last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, dropped to 6th before 3 out, kept on under pressure in straight to go 4th at last, no impression run-in and kept on one pace
always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, disputed halfway and led before 11th, strongly pressed entering straight, headed under pressure before last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on inner, close 5th halfway, went 2nd entering straight and ridden to lead before last, kept on well to draw clear run-in
Paul Nicholls won this with What A Friend in 2009 and will have high hopes of Noland repeating that success. The ten-year-old doesn't appear to stand too much racing but is a high-class performer on his day and beat What A Friend in the Aon Chase at Newbury when last seen in February. It will take a big effort to keep him out of a place but perhaps it's time for the Irish young guns to make their mark. Rubi Light had no problems seeing off Joncol in the John Durkan with Cooldine well beaten and though he's never raced beyond 2m4f there is every chance he could be even better at the trip and rates a major threat. The only time QUITO DE LA ROQUE has been beaten over fences was by subsequent RSA Chase winner Bostons Angel in the Fort Leney at this fixture a year ago. He looked a brilliant prospect when just outlasting Sizing Europe in the jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last month and can take a fascinating renewal of this high-class event. Follow The Plan was probably fortunate to win a Grade 1 at Punchestown in May but always gives his best and arrives here fresh after a long break.
Cooldine (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, headed halfway, pushed along in 5th approaching 4 out, no extra in 5th 3 out, left moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 34l behind Rubi Light (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1).
Follow The Plan (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, closer 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure but still 1 length down when left clear after last, won at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gd in May beating Vic Venturi (11-10) by 11l, 8 ran.
Joncol (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace but no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Rubi Light (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1).
Magnanimity (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place when hit 12th, not fluent next, rallied from 2 out, stayed on flat, gaining close home, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Bostons Angel (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Noland 13-2 (11-0) With leader, led 9th, headed narrowly when hit and pecked 5 out, led again 3 out, ridden and edged left flat, stayed on under pressure when hard pressed towards finish, just held on, won at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating What A Friend (11-10) by hd, 5 ran.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in 6th, 5th at 9th, pushed along 5 out when left 4th, ridden and no impression 4 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, closed last and slight mistake, stayed on run-in to lead close home, won at Down Royal 3m Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Nov beating Sizing Europe (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Roberto Goldback (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hampered 4 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out, 9th of 16, 34l behind Quantitativeeasing (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd.
Rubi Light (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) Always prominent, led from halfway, asserted 3 out, kept on well in straight, driven out run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) beating Joncol (11-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
Synchronised (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Behind, headway under pressure after 4 out, ridden 2 out, edged left and stayed on flat, went 3rd near finish, no impression, 3rd of 20, 9l behind Dynaste (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
