took keen hold early, tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along before 4 out, soon ridden, chased leading pair 2 out, stayed on into 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
sometimes jumped right, chased leading trio, jumped slowly 9th, ridden and weakened after 11th, tailed off before 4 out
held up in last trio, steady headway 11th, 3rd approaching 4 out until 2 out, ridden and weakened between last two
held up in last pair, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 12th, 5th and no impression when blundered 3 out, beaten when blundered again next
chased leading pair, 2nd 12th, 2 lenghts down and coming under pressure when blundered 2 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd at the last, weakened and lost 3rd run-in
led until blundered and headed 12th, chased leading pair, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, steady headway approaching 12th, disputing 5th when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on into 3rd run-in
jumped well, chased leader, led 12th, 2 lengths ahead and going strongly when left clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
Nonrunner
This is an ultra-competitive handicap as Lamool, Carrigmorna King and Sound Investment all scored last time. The former's trainer, Paul Nicholls, also runs the smart Rolling Aces while Willie Mullins has sent over The Paparrazi Kid, who a Grade 2 at Limerick on Boxing Day last year. A P McCoy could have ridden last year's winner Cantlow but has instead opted for PENDRA. Charlie Longsdon's gelding is 3lb higher than when third at the Cheltenham Festival in March but won first-time out last season, beating subsequent Grade 2 winner Eduard, and probably has more to offer.
Sound Investment (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 12th, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, easily, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs beating Dolatulo (11-8) by 4l, 14 ran.
Cantlow (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mistakes 8th and 9th, always behind, 13th of 18, 36l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft.
The Paparrazi Kid (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Soon led, left clear 6 out, soon reduced lead but still travelling smoothly into straight, went on from before 2 out, stayed on well from before last, reduced lead but always holding on at the finish, won at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec beating Felix Yonger (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Carrigmorna King (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Held up towards rear, took closer order 8th, led narrowly after 2 out, driven 3 lengths clear last, kept on, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct beating Mister Grez (10-6) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Pendra (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, 12th approaching 5 out, no impression in 10th early straight, kept on one pace, 10th of 26, 23l behind Shutthefrontdoor (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs (1) in Apr.
Loose Chips 16-1 (11-9) Prominent, led after 4th, slow 8th, headed 12th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Sound Investment (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs.
Lamool (GER) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 6 out, went 3rd 4 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Our Mick (11-9) by 17l, 9 ran.
No Buts 17-2 (10-13) In touch, joined leader 8th, led 12th, headed 4 out, every chance from next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 6l behind Sound Investment (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs.
Rolling Aces (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led before 4 out, headedd after 2 out, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
