soon led and clear, jumped well, slight mistake last, stayed on well
towards rear, moderate 7th 5 out, struggling 3 out, eased straight
chased leaders, slight mistake 7 out, soon no impression and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, some slightly slow jumps, moderate 4th and no impression under pressure into straight, kept on same pace
towards rear, slow jump early and reminder, fell 6 out
mid-division, bad mistake 6th, pulled up before next
towards rear, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, under pressure in moderate 5th into straight, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
chased leaders, moderate 2nd 3 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
chased leader, dropped to 3rd 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden in moderate 3rd into straight, kept on without troubling winner from before last
The top three here all carry penalties for previous victories at this grade. Mr Cracker probably didn't have much to do to gain his success at this level but Roi Du Mee beat useful rivals when scoring at Naas and is obviously on the upgrade. QUITO DE LA ROQUE was only just touched off by subsequent RSA Chase winner Bostons Angel at Leopardstown and has since won twice at this grade. He would probably appreciate some rain but his overall form looks very strong and he comfortably holds Western Charmer. Beau Michael has performed badly over timber on his last two starts but looked a decent prospect over fences when landing a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October.
Mr Cracker (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, hit 13th, effort to track leaders before 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, 7th of 11, 27l behind Noble Prince (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 6th, strongly pressed early straight, ridden and drifted right after 2 out, jumped left at last, edged left under pressure run-in, kept on well, won at Naas 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) in Feb beating Ad Idem (11-5) by 2l, 4 ran.
Beau Michael 33-1 (11-4) Prominent on outer, weakened from 5 out, 16th of 20, 50l behind Silent Creek (10-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Mar.
Elysian Rock 150-1 (11-4) Led 2nd, headed 14th, challenging when blundered 4 out, losing place when blundered and bumped next, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Bostons Angel (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Hampshire Express (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Chased leaders mainly 4th, well adrift after 5 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Roi Du Mee (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f nov chs hvy in Feb.
Healys Bar (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Never a factor, 7th of 13, 41l behind Wicklow Lad (9-8) at Navan 3m nov chs sft in Mar.
Pontiac (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Led, headed briefly 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, strongly pressed approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in, headed and no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Kyle's Turn (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f beg chase sft in Mar.
Sebadee (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pecked on landing 8th, went 2nd entering straight, ridden and switched right before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, just failed, 2nd of 7, shd behind Back Of The Pack (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs gd in Oct.
Slippers Percy (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, blundered 12th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Western Charmer (IRE) Evens (11-10) Tracked leader closely in 2nd, disputed lead briefly 6 out, 2 lengths down but still in contention when fell 3 out, in a race won by Tharawaat (11-10) at Navan 3m nov chs hvy in Feb, 3 ran.
Quito De La Roque (FR) Evensfav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, jumped into 2nd 4 out, ridden to lead after 3 out, clear before last, idled close home and reduced advantage, won at Navan 3m nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Royal De La Thinte (11-3) by 4l, 5 ran.
Baizically (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, ridden to close from before straight, chased leader 3 out, led after next, soon clear, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chase sft in Mar beating Pretty Happy (11-7) by 6l, 16 ran.
