prominent, 2nd halfway, jumped left at 8th, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th 3 out, 5th and bad mistake 2 out, soon no extra and weakened
mid-division, mistake 2nd, ridden in 9th 2 out, no extra entering straight, pulled up before last
always towards rear, no impression before 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, mistake 8th, no impression before 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden before 2 out, 8th entering straight, 4th and no impression before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 7 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, 7th halfway, progress in 4th 3 out, 2nd next, ridden to lead before last, kept on well
towards rear, no impression before 3 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, some headway into 10th after 4 out, ridden in 8th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
led, ridden entering straight, headed before last and no extra, kept on same pace
mid-division best, no extra before 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, fell 5 out
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, ridden into 7th 2 out, 4th entering straight, no impression in 3rd before last where mistake, kept on same pace
mid-division, no impression before 3 out, weakened
This is a Grand National Trial in name only. Jupitor has been making steady progress over fences and a rise of just 2lb for his Limerick victory looks lenient. Thelobstercatcher remained a maiden over fences for 22 starts but has completed a Fairyhouse double in recent weeks and still looks on an attractive mark. He had Sword Fish a long way behind in December and the latter is better handicapped over hurdles. Portrait King won this in 2012 then landed the Eider Chase at Newcastle. He pulled up on his only subsequent start in October but should strip fitter this time. QUITO DE LA ROQUE looked potentially top class when beating Sizing Europe in Down Royal's Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase in 2011, his fifth successive victory over fences. He's continued to compete at the highest level and is on his lowest ever mark so with a 5lb claimer on his back it wouldn't be a surprise to see him bounce back and take this. Raz De Maree was in tremendous form in staying handicaps at the backend of 2012 winning very tough events at LImerick and Cork though he pulled up in his only subsequent start in November. Popcorn once looked very promising but was struggling when unseating Ruby Walsh on his return from a long break at Navan last month.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Led and disputed early, slightly slow 2nd, soon chased leader, 3rd halfway, 4th and ridden 5 out, slight mistake next, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Texas Jack (11-8) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Raz De Maree (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Cootamundra (10-2) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov, 20 ran.
Out Now (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, 5th early, challenged travelling smoothly before 2 out, no extra from before last where dropped to 4th, weakened, 10th of 14, 13l behind Glen Beg (9-12) at Naas 2m hcp hdl sft in Jan.
Popcorn (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Soon towards rear, detached when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by She's Got Grit (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 7 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by On His Own (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs in Jan, 18 ran.
Portrait King (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Towards rear when pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Tabhachtach (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Orpheus Valley (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Prominent, on terms 8th, mistake and collided with rival 5 out where left in front, pushed along approaching straight, joined 3 out, just headed last, rallied run-in, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind She's Got Grit (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Jan.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression from 5 out, 8th of 16, 47l behind Mount Colah (11-7) at Thurles 2m beg chase sft in Jan.
Carrigeen Lechuga (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up behind, hit 9th and 10th, weakened before 15th, pulled up, in a race won by Sun Cloud (11-0) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Saoirse Dun (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Towards rear, headway to go 6th 4 out and ridden in 4th 2 out, 2nd before last but no impression on winner, kept on one pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Madam Bovary (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs hvy in Apr.
Sole Witness (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Prominent and close up, 2nd halfway, ridden entering straight, mistake and no extra 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 18, 14l behind On His Own (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs in Jan.
Caheronaun (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Towards rear, not fluent 5 out, ridden after next and no extra 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Thelobstercatcher (9-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 in Dec, 14 ran.
Sword Fish (IRE) 10-3fav (11-3) Soon mid-division, ridden to go moderate 5th approaching straight, badly hampered by faller 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace,, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Carrow Queen (9-10) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Dec.
Jupitor (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Soon prominent, closed up from before 6 out, soon on terms, narrow leader 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, pressed 2 out, stayed on well run-in,, won at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Dec beating Coole Avenue (11-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
The Bishop Looney (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Annie Oakley (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl in Jan.
Carrig Millie (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Soon towards rear, improved from before 7th, slightly hampered 5 out, dropped to moderate 5th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 31l behind She's Got Grit (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Jan.
Are Ya Right Chief (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, slow jump 3rd, slight mistake 6 out, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 9, well behind Rogue Angel (11-11) at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec.
Thelobstercatcher 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, closer 5 out and 3rd 3 out, under pressure approaching last, kept on well run-in to lead on line,, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan beating Shellys Creek (10-5) by shd, 14 ran.
Carry Each Other (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led and disputed from halfway and clear of field, reduced advantage in lead 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 19, 15l behind Too Late To Sell (10-1) at Punchestown 3m 1f in Jan.
