held up, jumped right 1st, closer in 5th 3 out, 6th and no impression early straight, one pace
chased leaders, lost place and slight mistake 3 out, 5th early straight, soon no impression, one pace
chased leaders, jumped left and slow 1st, a little slow 3rd and 4th, lost place and no impression 3 out, no extra from 2 out, eased straight, tailed off
towards rear, slightly impeded and mistake 1st, slow jump 2nd, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden into 3rd at last, kept on into 2nd closing stages but not reach winner
chased leaders, soon moderate 3rd, closed from 4 out, slightly impeded early straight, challenged before last and on terms where slight mistake, led run-in, stayd on well
soon prominent in chasing group, closed from 4 out, travelling smoothly from 2 out, on terms into straight, soon led, pressed and joined from before last, headed run-in, one pace in 3rd closing stages
in rear, trailing 5th, pulled up 3 out
led, slight mistake 1st, soon clear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 4 out and reduced lead and reminders, joined and bumped slightly into straight, soon headed, dropped to 4th at last, one pace
Arctic Fire and Un De Sceaux have won the last two of these for the Mullins camp who have two entries this time. Aminabad has disappointed since being stepped up in class after his maiden victory though he still finished in front of Max Dynamite in a Grade 2 at Naas in February and the latter has yet to fulfil his potential. Nicky Henderson won the event in 2011 and 2012 so knows what's required. Snake Eyes, who is owned by J P McManus, is a surprise entry given his lightly-raced profile but he won a Listed race at Sandown in December and wouldn't be travelling here unless thought capable of winning. Four-year-olds were only allowed to enter from last year but neither Theophilus nor Blue Atlantic look to have the experience for this so it's TANDEM who looks the one to be on. Dermot Weld's charge had no answer to Nichols Canyon at Fairyhouse in November but the ground was too sticky and, providing the going doesn't deteriorate, he has the ability to score at this level.
Alton Bay (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, 3rd before 3 out, 2nd and closed on leader 2 out, soon challenged, led before straight, clear before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f mdn hdl in Jul beating Little Rocky (11-12) by 14l, 13 ran.
Aminabad (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Soon raced in 4th, not fluent 2nd, in rear from 4th, 4th again before straight where raced on outer, disputed 3rd 2 out, no impression from before last where moderate 4th, dropped to last near line, last of 5, 15l behind Lean Araig (11-4) at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Max Dynamite (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, 7th in touch and fell 4 out, in a race won by Sempre Medici (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Pyromaniac (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, never involved, 10th of 18, 18l behind Bayan (11-5) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Snake Eyes (IRE) 11-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, 6th 2 out, soon ridden, 7th at last checked after last, no extra, 10th of 24, 12l behind Katie T (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan.
Tandem 11-2 (11-10) Held up in last, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, soon no impression, never a factor, 5th of 7, 18l behind Nichols Canyon (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Nov.
Kinnitty Castle (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th before straight, ridden in 6th 2f out, stayed on in 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Gowran Park 2m NH flat in Mar beating Casual Approach (12-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Blue Atlantic (USA) 7-2 (11-5) Prominent in chasing group, pushed along and hit 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th and beaten when blundered badly last, went modest 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 22l behind Zarib (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Theophilus (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 5th, improved to challenge and collided with leader 2 out, ridden to lead entering straight, kept on well from before last, won at Leopardstown 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Hostile Fire (11-0) by 7l, 14 ran.
