mid-division, closer at 14th, 4th at next, ridden in 3rd before last, 2nd last, kept on without reaching winner
chased leaders, led 5th, fell 14th
chased leaders, closer at 14th, 3rd at 15th, improved to lead 5 out, challenged after 3 out, ridden and kept on well from before last
held up towards rear, progress into 5th after 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, under pressure in 5th before last, 4th last, kept on same pace
led, headed 5th, regained lead 14th, headed 5 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra before last
held up towards rear early, closer 14th, 6th next, hampered 18th, ridden in 9th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace from before last
chased leaders, brought down 14th
chased leaders, brought down 14th
held up towards rear, ridden in 8th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, mid-division before 12th, hampered 14th, closer in 6th 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
held up in mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 15th
prominent early, jumped left 1st and 3rd, soon chased leaders, dropped towards rear before 12th, pulled up before 13th
mid-division, ridden in 7th 2 out, kept on into 4th before last, no extra in 5th last, kept on one pace
held up, closer in 8th at 15th, progress in 5th 3 out, soon challenged, ridden in 2nd before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out
chased leaders, left 2nd at 14th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
BIG SHU, runner-up in this a year ago, is probably the best cross-country horse around at present though this trip is definitely on the short side. His victories in the championship races here and at Cheltenham last spring obviously set the standard though those events will be his target again. Love Rory has a victory over these unique obstacles to his credit though he was receiving 7lb from Sizing Australia and only beat him a head. Long Strand was a long way behind in third and hardly looks capable of reversing the form. Bishopsfurze has been a smart hurdler and chaser in his day but has lost his form and been relegated to the cross-country. He would have to be the main threat if taking to the course. Quiscover Fontaine has won seven races in his career and is warming up for another crack at the Grand National.
Big Shu (IRE) 9-2fav (12-3) In rear, headway from 20th, mistake 22nd (Ruby's Double), led 6 out, clear from 4 out, reduced advantage and ridden entering straight, bad mistake at last, kept on under pressure run-in, all out to hold on, won at Punchestown 4m 1f crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Apr beating Another Jewel (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no impression from after 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 8, 28l behind Mala Beach (11-8) at Gowran Park 3m hdl G2 (1) in Jan.
Love Rory (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Mid-division, progress into 2nd 5 out, challenged 2 out and soon ridden, under pressure before last and no impression closing stages,, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Thelobstercatcher (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan.
A Stray Shot (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, left 2nd, no impression winner last, no extra run-in, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 16, 7l behind Burren River (12-0) at Limerick 2m 6f hts chs hvy in Dec.
Benefit Night (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Brought down 1st, in a race won by Baily Storm (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul, 8 ran.
Chestnut Charlie (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 4t 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 19, 7l behind Rockyaboya (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Mar.
Classic Cut 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 9th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 25l behind Or d'Oudairies (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Dosco's Dream (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, 7th of 17, 50l behind De Chissler (11-1) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Dec.
Duers (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th approaching 2 out, soon no extra,, 5th of 12, 19l behind Playing (10-8) at Limerick 2m 6f hvy in Dec.
Jacks Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never a factor, 14th approaching 3 out, kept on one pace in straight, 11th of 18, 21l behind Getoutwhenyoucan (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-102 in Jan.
Long Strand (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Rcd v kn, chsd ldrs, wo 6th, 3l clr 1/2way, jnd 6out, hdd appr straight, not qckn in 3l 3rd 2out, all out run-in, lost 3rd at line, 4th of 7, 6l behind Burren River (10-13) at Nenagh 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan.
Lord Hawkfield (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Ld/disp, 3rd at 13th, 2l down at 17th, rdn in 4l 3rd 3out, not qckn with ldrs appr 2out but kow to line, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Twin Joy (12-0) at Tattersalls Farm 3m ire ptp fm in May.
Nedzer's Return (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Ld/disp, ld 6out, hdd bef 3out & cl en 4th when lft 3rd 2out, no dngr, 3rd of 19, 12l behind Lisrose (11-11) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp in Dec.
Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, lost touch 27th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Stonesinmypocket (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 3rd aftr a mile, disp brfly 8th, 4th frm 5out & btn bef 4out, wknd badly 3out , to & pu bef 2out, in a race won by Forde In America (12-2) at Templenacarriga 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Chestnut Friar (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Made all, went on 3out, rallied & ko best, won at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp gd in Dec beating Kerrib Castle (11-6) by 4l, 13 ran.
