held up, 9th from 5th, slightly slow 4 out, 7th approaching straight, no extra from 3 out
soon disputed lead, led from 3rd, joined briefly 10th, headed from 2 out, no extra and one pace from last
chased leaders, 5th from 5th, 4th approaching straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led, stayed on well to assert run-in
soon disputed lead, headed from 3rd, slight mistake 5th and dropped to 8th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, 6th from 5th, pushed along 10th, lost place and mistake 4 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, soon 2nd, on terms briefly 10th, challenged 2 out, no extra and one pace from last
towards rear early, slight mistake 2nd, closer in 7th from 5th, slightly slow 7th, improved 9th to be prominent, no impression in 4th from before 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd from 5th, 5th approaching straight, no impression before 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th from 5th, dropped to 8th approaching straight and weakened
held up, soon towards rear, some headway in 6th approaching straight, no impression approaching 2 out, weakened
soon towards rear, slight mistake 5th, mistake 10th, no impression from 4 out
Dual hurdles winner Phil's Magic has had plenty of chances over fences and an absence since September won't be a help. Aretesone is making his chasing debut and is the youngest in the line-up so the winning hurdler has plenty of scope as does Champagne Harmony though the latter has shown nothing in two starts over fences. Ancient Sands has won eleven times in a long and successful career though so far he's failed to fire over the bigger obstacles. Winning bumper and hurdler Newsworthy makes his chasing debut but this looks a good opportunity for CREST to open his account over fences. Gordon Elliott's charge has had half-a-dozen starts and finished runner-up twice including behind Bright Tomorrow at Down Royal last month, form that looks strong enough for this.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind American Tom (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway into mid-division 4th, joined leaders after 10th, led after 12th, headed 14th (water), weakening when hit 18th, pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out), at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Champagne Harmony (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Ran 4th, slight mistake 6th, in rear before 4 out, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Westerner Point (10-11) at Thurles 2m 2f hvy in Feb.
Chelate (IRE) 200-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold early, slight mistake 4th, mistake 6th, bad mistake next, soon no danger, slight mistake 9th, weakened, completely tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Bachasson (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
Chesterfieldavenue (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, hampered 2 out, 23rd of 25, dist behind Anibale Fly (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Crest 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd briefly from 3rd to 6th, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on well close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Bright Tomorrow (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Mar.
Newsworthy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 2 out, behind when jumped left and unseated rider at last, at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp gd in Mar.
Phil's Magic (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, 4th at 5th, under pressure from 3 out, soon no impression, no extra from after next, 6th of 10, 34l behind Killdunne (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Sep.
Robin De Roost (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, pulled up before next, at Navan 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Aretesone (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, moderate 4th after 3 out and no impression next, no extra, 5th of 6, 32 3/4l behind Yaha Fizz (11-6) at Naas 2m sft in Feb.
Hide The Biscuit (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders early, raced on outer, slight mistake 2nd, lost place and mistake 5th, 11th from next, no danger when mistake 8th, completely tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Knockraha Pylon (11-7) at Thurles 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Mar.
