tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead from 2 out and soon ridden, kept on well run-in to draw clear inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 5th and took keen hold, close 4th after 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no impression from 4 out
led, headed 3rd to 5th, disputed lead from next, ridden from 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace run-in
prominent, led 3rd to 5th, disputed lead from next, headed when lost footing and collapsed entering straight
held up in rear, improved into close 3rd after 3 out, disputed lead from 2 out and soon ridden, headed inside final furlong and no extra close home
REALT DUBH was in brilliant form at this time last year culminating in a narrow defeat by Captain Chris in the Ryanair at Punchestown. He didn't reappear until the Champion Chase at Cheltenham where not surprisingly he couldn't cope with the likes of Finian's Rainbow but hopefully he'll be somewhere near his best which would be good enough for this. Tranquil Sea has won seven times over fences including at the highest level. He hasn't been at his best recently though over shorter trips and he's won on good ground. Roi Du Mee won at Grade 2 and 3 level last year but has been a little bit below par recently and has never won on anything but ground with plenty of give. Zaarito had his jumping problems early in his career but they have been ironed out and he ran very well behind Seabass over a trip too short at Naas a month ago when Tranquil Sea was behind.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th from 2 out, ridden and no extra from before last, weakened, 4th of 6, 20l behind Seabass (11-7) at Naas 2m chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, no impression from 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Penny's Bill (9-8) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs (10yo+) sft, 10 ran.
Natal (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, niggled along approaching 6 out, 5th 4 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bideford Legend (9-10) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp chs gd in May, 11 ran.
Saddler's Native (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, some headway in moderate 7th 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 6th last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 12, 18l behind Dun Masc (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 gd.
Trafford Lad 20-1 (11-3) Chased leader in 3rd, 2nd halfway, lost touch with easy winner after 8th, ridden and dropped to 4th entering straight, no extra, 4th of 5, 33l behind Rubi Light (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Zaarito (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, 4th halfway, good headway early straight and travelled best to lead after 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, no extra and headed closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Seabass (11-7) at Naas 2m chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Realt Dubh (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Blundered 1st, held up in touch on inside, struggling 9th, no chance with leaders, 5th of 8, 30l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gd.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Settled towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, no impression in 5th at last, no extra, 5th of 12, 12l behind Paddy Pub (9-7) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft.
