soon mid-division, progress travelling well straight, 4th 2 out, ridden in 3rd and jinked right before last, switched left to rail run-in, ran on well, just held
towards rear, 8th before straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after 2 out
soon tracked leaders, closer in 3rd 2 out, ridden to challenge and dispute lead before last, hit flight, headed and kept on same pace run-in
towards rear, no impression under pressure straight
soon mid-division, 9th before straight, kept on well without threatening under pressure from before last
soon mid-division, progress from before 4 out, soon tracking leaders, challenged and disputed lead from 2 out, led under pressure run-in, stayed on well, just held on
prominent, on terms from before 4 out, headed after 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
tracked leaders, short of room on inner approaching 4 out, slight mistake next, dropped to 11th and no extra from before straight
led, joined before 4 out, soon headed, remained prominent, ridden and weakened straight
mid-division best, 10th before straight, soon no extra under pressure
prominent, led from 3 out, headed next, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 6th before straight, no extra and kept on same pace from after 2 out
chased leaders, lost place and no extra under pressure from before straight
in rear, kept on without threatening under pressure straight
An intriguing contest with several useful novices' engaged along with others better known as chasers. Cass Bligh and Whodoyouthink are among the former along with Wednesday's Punchestown winner Sweet Shock, who should make a bold bid to defy a penalty. Gala Dancer won his maiden so easily at Fairyhouse that he must be a threat from the bottom of the handicappers but this race is all about BLUESEA CRACKER. James Motherway's mare produced the performance of her life to land the Irish National in April and though this bears no resemblance to that gruelling event she has scored over hurdles and reverts to timber on a massive 32lb below her chasing mark. Andy McNamara can't do the weight but Davy Condon has been on board in the past and his mount can make a winning return after her exploits at Fairyhouse.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, 11th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden into 7th before 2 out, 4th 2 out, no extra before last where jumped left, weakened, 10th of 16, 20l behind Golden Kite (9-11) at Limerick 3m Ext hcp chs (1) gd.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway into 4th halfway, 2nd 4 out, no extra and dropped to 6th after 2 out, 6th of 12, 28l behind Reve De Sivola (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 gd in Apr.
Cass Bligh (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute lead 3 out, led before next, quickened clear at last, pushed out run-in, won at Clonmel 2m nov hdl in Sep beating Anshan Dreams (10-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Hold The Pin (IRE) 5-1fav (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway after halfway, 8th and in touch when jumped badly left 3 out, not recover, 9th of 19, 39l behind Palace Merano (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr.
Wilde Wit Pleasure (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, some headway in moderate 6th when mistake 3 out, soon no extra, 6th of 16, well behind Wise Old Owl (11-12) at Listowel 2m 6f beg chs in Sep.
Sweet Shock (GER) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway into 6th before 3 out, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and challenged before last where disputed, egded ahead run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hdl beating Rivage D'or (11-12) by 1l, 21 ran.
A New Story (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, some headway after halfway, went 9th approaching straight, 6th 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 18l behind Prosperity Square (11-3) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Sep.
Brownpolish 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 3rd 3 out, challenged and wandered approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, 2nd of 14, nk behind Molly's Boy (9-12) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl.
Chevalier Country (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, reminders approaching 4 out, no impression from after next, left moderate 3rd when badly hampered last, 6th of 8, 22l behind Jumbo Rio (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 sft in May '09.
Bluesea Cracker (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mid-division on inner, progress in to 6th 5 out, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, wandered about approaching last, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr beating Oscar Time (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 26 ran.
Gala Dancer (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Soon chased leaders, led approaching 3 out and soon clear, reduced lead next, stayed on well under pressure run-in to draw clear closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl gf beating Moscow Storm (11-4) by 8l, 13 ran.
Booley Bay (IRE) 18-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out, last of 10, 47l behind Macville (10-1) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl.
Jack Finch 9-1 (11-5) Never a factor, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Royal Blood (10-3) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs 0-130, 13 ran.
Tally Em Up (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, headed before last, no chance with easy winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Macville (10-1) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl.
