mid-division, mistake 1st, headway into 4th after 4 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression on leaders from next, kept on one pace in 3rd inside final furlong
in rear, progress 4 out, ridden in 8th after 3 out, 7th 2 out, no impression
rear of mid-division, headway into 4th on inner travelling well 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, dropped to 4th at last, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden entering straight, 9th 3 out, weakened
mid-division, 6th 3 out, headway into 3rd travelling well 2 out, improved to dispute lead and not fluent at last, pushed along to lead after last, stayed on well inside final furlong, easily
always towards rear, slight mistake 6th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
trailing in last virtually throughout, mistake 8th and ridden, no impression, trailing when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead entering straight, led travelling well 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, slight mistake and joined at last, headed after last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
disputed lead, mistake 4th, headed 5th, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor
disputed lead, led from 5th, ridden and joined entering straight, headed 3 out, weakened
mid-division, closer in 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
Gavin Cromwell won the race a year ago and has Western Run and Jukebox Jive entered. The former, who makes his handicap debut, completed a double on good ground before falling too far out to draw any conclusions at Punchestown. Drumacoo, a close third in this last year, reappeared with a victory at Listowel in September so a short break won't have done any harm while Thereisnodoubt overcame a very long break to score over 2m here in March when he was going away at the finish. It Could Be You makes his handicap debut after a comfortable victory over 2m at Clonmel while staying is Lord Erskine's game after battling to victory over 2m6f here. It's difficult to get away from KING ALEX, who completed a hat-trick with the minimum of fuss at Fairyhouse and can defy a 12lb rise.
Tintangle (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Badly hampered 1st and dropped to rear, never a factor, pushed along and detached after 5 out, no extra, pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Western Run (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to 2nd when fell 7th, at Punchestown 2m 5f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Drumacoo (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Rear, took closer order after 3rd, 5th at 4th, improved to 4th before 2 out, closed in 3rd after 2 out, led narrowly run-in, driven out, won at Listowel 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep beating Grange Walk (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Thereisnodoubt (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, closed before straight, slight mistake 3 out, soon under pressure and not match leaders between last 2 until headway to lead from over 100yds out and stayed on best, won at Navan 2m hcp hvy in Mar beating Instant Return (10-9) by 4l, 10 ran.
Jukebox Jive (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Waited with, disputed 9th after 6th, headway and effort straight, slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Rebel Waltz (10-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Lord Erskine (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway travelling well early straight, went 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, pushed along to challenge last, led run-in, ridden and kept on well, won at Navan 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov beating Lee Valley Legacy (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
It Could Be You (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders on outer, 6th from 3rd, lost position 5th, closed up again approaching straight, left in lead and slightly impeded 2 out, stayed on best to assert run-in, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Petibonome (11-11) by 6l, 12 ran.
King Alex (FR) 7-2jfav (10-11) Made virtually all, mistake and pushed along 2 out, slight mistake at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 3f sft in Nov beating Millen To One (11-2) by 7 1/2l, 17 ran.
Without Limites (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outer, mistake 7th, towards rear and reminder after 11th, soon detached and no extra, pulled up before 2 out, at Listowel 2m 6f hcp sft in Sep.
Good Man Jim (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Led to 7 out, reminders next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Elite Trooper Grey (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Chased leader, moderate 6th halfway, closer when mistake 3 out, 4th next, ridden in 3rd and no impression when not fluent last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Big King (10-12) at Navan 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Bold Emperor (IRE) 11-2jfav (11-3) Prominent, slight mistake 1st, disputed lead briefly 5th, disputed lead again from 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, 3rd at last, no extra in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 5 3/4l behind R'evelyn Pleasure (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Lee Valley Legacy (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Close up and disputed lead, ridden straight, headed 100yds out and kept on without matching front pair, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Unexpected Depth (12-3) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Snugsborough Hall (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) In rear, moderate 9th 3 out, headway entering straight, ridden in 4th 2 out, dropped to 5th at last, no impression, 5th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Impact Factor (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
