prominent, led after 2nd, headed after 8 out, slow 7 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, no impression in 11th 3 out, unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
soon mid-division, 10th halfway, 8th and mistake 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, went left and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, weakened 6 out, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway into 6th 4 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, challenged 2 out, no impression winner and disputed 2nd before last, 3rd close home
led, mistake 2nd, soon headed, 2nd halfway, disputed 5 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression in 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
pecked 1st, towards rear, headway into 6th 6 out, mistake 5 out, ridden in 9th and no impression 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, led after 8 out, disputed 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and challenged entering straight, headed after 2 out, kept on, disputed 2nd from before last, no impression winner, 2nd close home
mid-division, headway into 6th 5 out, ridden 3 out, no extra in 7th entering straight, slightly hampered and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division early, towards rear and pushed along briefly before halfway, headway into 8th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, stayed on to challenge in 2nd 2 out, soon led, kept on well from before last
soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, 3rd 7 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
This is generally won by a useful type and QUESTIONS ANSWERED fits the bill. He's been the subject of strong ante-post support since his excellent run in the Kerry National behind stablemate Faltering Fullback and can go one better. Four Commanders is a class act over fences and it's a surprise he hasn't won more than once though he's taken on better company, including when three times runner-up at Grade 2 level. He hasn't been seen since pulling up when favourite for the Irish National in April but should be fit enough. Golden Kite won this last year from exactly the same mark and warmed up for a repeat by scoring over hurdles at Galway last month. He'll make a bold bid while Start Me Up, who was third in the Kerry National, should also get into the mix. Raz De Maree hasn't had much experience over fences but is well enough weighted and can make his presence felt.
Mr Cracker (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Soon led, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd approaching 2 out, left moderate 2nd, 3rd and kept on one pace from before last, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Realt Dubh (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 gd in Apr '11.
Four Commanders (IRE) 8-1fav (10-9) Mid-division, 10th halfway, weakened before 6 out, pulled up after 5 out, in a race won by Lion Na Bearnai (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gs in Apr, 29 ran.
Cross Appeal (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Raced 2nd, disputed lead 5th, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no extra after last, 4th of 20, 18l behind Bob Lingo (10-3) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Aug.
Start Me Up (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Not always fluent jumping, soon chased leaders, moderate 5th 7 out, left closer 4 out where hampered, 4th next, in pursuit of winner when not great 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep.
Caim Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 3 out, disputed entering straight, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra before last, 8th of 15, 24l behind Coole Avenue (10-4) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Qhilimar (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 1st, tracked leader, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Dover's Hill (11-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Questions Answered (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Waited with in rear of mid-division, moderate 10th 7 out, left closer 4 out, 5th 3 out, went in pursuit of winner but no impression from before last, kept on, 2nd of 18, 6l behind Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep.
Golden Kite (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Made all, ridden and challenged entering straight, strongly pressed and mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Galway 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Sep beating Georgie (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Liberty Counsel (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Heaney (10-4) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl gd.
The Bishop Looney (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 11l behind Droim Toll (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-145 in May.
Quietly Fancied (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders early, struggling from 7 out, weakened and pulled up into straight, in a race won by Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep, 18 ran.
Saddlers Storm (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, 7th 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened, 7th of 8, 43l behind Missunited (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f nh nov hdl sft in Sep.
Raz De Maree (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, went 2nd after 5 out, led 3 out, soon strongly pressed, headed after 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Liberty Counsel (11-8) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Sep.
For A Finish 16-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, 18th of 20, well behind Heaney (10-4) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl gd.
Themoonandsixpence (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Soon in rear, pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep, 18 ran.
Northern Alliance (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Always in rear, lost touch before 4 out, trailing when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shakervilz (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4f chs hvy in Sep, 4 ran.
King Ali (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Raced towards outer, prominent from before 9th, moderate 4th approaching 4 out where left closer 3rd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, mistake 2 out, 5th of 18, 13l behind Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep.
Droim Toll (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Soon mid-division, 10th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace without threatening, 9th of 16, 7l behind Ainama (10-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gs in Jun.
Willies Girl (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden before 4 out, soon no impression, 13th of 19, 37l behind Street Runner (10-2) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 gs in Aug.
