held up in rear early, progress to track leaders 7th, left 3rd at 10th, went 2nd and ridden after 2 out, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up towards rear early, went 3rd at 5th, improved to dispute lead at 9th, fell next
tracked leader in 2nd, led and disputed from 3rd, left in front 10th, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd approaching last, no impression
tracked leaders on inner, left 2nd at 10th, led and ridden 2 out, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
tracked leaders on outer, pushed along briefly 2nd, reminders 4th, dropped to rear 6th, soon trailing, no impression from 5 out
tracked leaders on outer, bad mistake 3rd and dropped to last next, not fluent at 7th and 8th, 5th when slightly hampered 10th, ridden from 3 out, no impression in moderate 4th from 2 out, slight mistake at last
led, joined 3rd, headed 6th, slight mistake 7th and soon dropped behind leaders, 6th when not fluent 9th, slightly hampered next, bad mistake 4 out, no impression
Val De Ferbet looked a tremendous prospect a couple of seasons ago when with Willie Mullins but ran poorly here last May and has been confined to hurdles. His new handler has brought him back over fences and he's young enough to progress into a very smart performer. The champion trainer has a pair of entries. Alelchi Inois had a brilliant novice career before losing his way though he ended the last campaign with a couple of decent efforts, the latest when a close fourth behind Devil's Bride at Naas in November. Ballycasey hasn't won since 2014 and unseated Katie Walsh in the Grand National when FIRST LIEUTENANT fell at the second but the latter's narrow defeat by Don Poli in the Lexus is the stand-out form in this and he's taken to gain his first victory in three years. Sadler's Risk had just over a length to spare over Spring Heeled in the Munster National and there's nothing between them here.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Soon disputed lead, slight lead from 4th, pushed along from after 2 out, soon joined, not fluent last, headed run-in, one pace and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 5, 1 1/4l behind Devils Bride (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Ballycasey (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in 6th, pecked 4th (water), closer order 12th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on run-in, never involved, 6th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Menorah (11-10) at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gd in Apr.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in and 4th closing stages, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Cantlow (10-3) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp gd in May.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd at 9th, not fluent 11th and reminder, bad mistake 13th, challenged on inner into straight, soon on terms, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on best run-in, won at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Spring Heeled (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Spring Heeled (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Jumped slowly 14th, always towards rear, 14th of 20, dist behind The Young Master (11-1) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 2 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 5th approaching last, stayed on again run-in to 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Perfect Promise (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division early, towards rear before 6th, pushed along halfway, trailing and pulled up before 12th, at Killarney 3m 2f hcp gd in May.
Realt Mor (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent 1st, headed after 8th, ridden after 2 out and soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Elegant Statesman (9-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 4-11fav (11-4) Prominent in 2nd, on terms from 6th, led before 4 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind The Winkler (11-10) at Killarney 2m 6f gd in May.
