tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on well closing stages
midfield, headway to chase leaders 4 out, went 2nd after next, no extra towards finish
in touch, mistake 4 out, soon lost place, rallied 2 out, stayed on well, never a threat
tracked leader, led before 4 out, hard driven 2 out, ran on well (1 fence ommited)
prominent, left in lead 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, stumbled and unseated rider soon after 8th
held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, under pressure when blundered 2 out, stayed on well after last
led, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
always behind, weakened 4 out
Witness In Court is only 2lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago but he's not really threatened since and may be lacking a bit of confidence at present. Sharp Rise is the only other course winner in the line-up but hasn't raced over fences since unseating his rider behind Alderbrook Lad at Carlisle last May. Tennis Cap will probably start favourite having won over hurdles at Cork last month. He was second twice over fences at Thurles earlier this year but does look high enough in the weights. Just Cameron ran in the Champion Chase and was third at Kelso but will probably find a couple too good again at the weights. SHADOWS LENGTHEN last ran in October but he'll be ready for this. He looks better treated at the weights than stablemate Saints And Sinners so gets the nod. Dare Me is capable on his day but not getting any younger.
Just Cameron 2-1fav (10-12) Led, hard pressed 4 out, headed when blundered badly and good recovery by rider 2 out, one pace in 4th between last 2, stayed on to take 3rd closing stages, unable to get back on terms, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Savello (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f (2) sft in Apr.
Tennis Cap (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Made all, ridden and strongly pressed before 3 out, asserted before 2 out, kept on well, won at Cork 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Val De Ferbet (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Dare Me (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Never better than mid-division, lost place 6th, no danger after, 9th of 22, 30 1/2l behind Empire Of Dirt (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Witness In Court (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Close up when blundered and unseated rider 8th, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, dropped to rear after 10th, struggging after 12th, tailed off, last of 5, 27 3/4l behind Un Noble (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Filbert (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, some headway 10th, weakened next, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, at Taunton 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Saints And Sinners (IRE) 5-1fav (11-4) Held up in rear, hampered 4th, blundered and unseated rider 8th, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Shadows Lengthen 25-1 (11-0) Held up in 6th, struggling after 12th, tailed off when blundered last, never involved, 7th of 8, dist behind Wakanda (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
Sharp Rise (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Made all, clear before last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 2f (4) gs in Apr beating Our Thomas (11-0) by 9l, 11 ran.
Gleann Na Ndochais (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) In rear, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 34l behind Kilgefin Star (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.