tracked leaders, 4th 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no impression on leaders but staying on at one pace when slipped up inside final furlong
tracked leaders, dropped behind leaders after 3 out (usual 4 out), no extra straight
led, headed after 4th, disputed lead again 4 out (usual 6 out), regained lead after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out (usual 3 out) and ridden, headed after last, kept on same pace
always behind, mistake 7th
tracked leaders and took keen hold, led after 4th, joined 4 out (usual 6 out), headed after 3 out (usual 4 out), no impression straight
tracked leaders, close 3rd travelling well 2 out, 2nd at last, led and ridden along inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
held up in rear, close up in 5th 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden from 2 out (usual last), left moderate 3rd run-in
Rupert Lamb was a promising type for Howard Johnson and Sally Hall a couple of years ago and it won't have done him much harm joining Willie Mullins so he's obviously one to note on his chasing debut though all eyes will be on ALDERWOOD, who can make a winning start over fences. Tom Mullins' charge seemed to take a while to get the hang of hurdling but he could hardly have finished with more of a flourish having completed a hat-trick at three of the four main National Hunt Festivals including the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He's up against some decent opposition here however including Sword Of Destiny, a Grade 3 hurdles winner who made a fine start over fences behind Buckers Bridge at Punchestown, and Darwins Fox, who wasn't disgraced behind Oscars Well on the same track.
Alderwood (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Led, headed from 3rd, led again from 4 out, ridden and headed again after 2 out, plenty to do entering straight, stayed on well from last to regain lead close home, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr beating Trifolium (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Daring Article (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Far Away So Close (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs hvy.
Darwins Fox (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, led from 4 out, ridden and headed after next, no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 12l behind Oscars Well (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
Rourke's Cross (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 3 out, 7th of 8, 41l behind Dylan Ross (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs.
Rupert Lamb 3-1 (11-0) Led until approaching 2 out, soon one pace, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 14l behind Realt Mor (10-13) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr '11.
Sword Of Destiny (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved into 2nd at 8th, close 2nd and ridden entering straight, led after 2 out, mistake last and landed badly left, headed and ridden, stayed on well run-in, unfortunate, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Buckers Bridge (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft in Oct.
Tadhg (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden to dispute briefly before 2 out, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 27l behind Gran Torino (11-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Tales Of Milan (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 8th 5 out, no impression from next, 6th of 13, 38l behind Oscars Well (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
Viaduct Joey (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division best, dropped towards rear and no danger 6 out, 11th of 15, well behind Alf Wright (11-7) at Tramore 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Aug.
