attempted to make all, not fluent 6 out, ridden and strongly pressed before 2 out, headed before last, one pace
in touch, 4th 5 out, 3rd next, smooth progress into 2nd after 3 out, brought to stands side to challenge 2 out, soon led, driven clear from last, easily
tracked leaders, in rear when not fluent 6th, lost touch from 5 out, trailing from 3 out
held up early, progress halfway, 2nd after 6 out, ridden 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra 2 out
raced in 2nd, dropped to 4th 4 out, ridden next, 3rd and kept on under pressure from 2 out
OSANA is the pick here as he was in brilliant form at this time last year and though failing to add to his two victories competed at the very highest level throughout. His narrow defeats behind Sizing Europe in Grade 1's at Leopardstown and Cheltenham were the highlights and he'll be better for his recent run behind The Nightingale at Down Royal where he blew up at the second last. Psycho did extremely well in his novice campaign over fences and was still in touch when falling in the Grade 1 Ryanair at Punchestown in April where Osana was a little disappointing in fourth. He looked in need of the run on his return behind Captain Cee Bee here last month and will have been primed for this. He had Deal Done a long way behind over hurdles at Punchestown a year ago and has made the better start over fences while the promising River Liane might just need this after an absence since December and Lucky At Last was behind Osana at Down Royal.
Osana (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leader in 2nd, led 4 out, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed before next where mistake, no extra, 3rd of 7, 19l behind The Nightingale (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft.
Psycho (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Raced in rear, keen hold early, no extra and kept on same pace from before straight, last of 4, 10l behind Captain Cee Bee (11-12) at Naas 2m chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Deal Done (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, some progress 5 out, ridden in moderate 4th after 3 out, went moderate 3rd before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Leanne (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs in Oct.
River Liane (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, close 5th after 2 out, close 3rd entering straight, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Dancing Tornado (11-5) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Lucky At Last (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway into 5th before 4 out, ridden in 6th and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 7, 22l behind The Nightingale (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft.
