in touch in rear, mistakes 6th, 10th and 12th, headway from 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, soon no extra, 3rd from last
in rear until blundered and unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders, closer in 2nd 5 out, ridden and no impression from next
tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, close enough in 2nd when fell next
disputed lead, led from 4th, hampered by loose horse on landing 11th and brought down
always prominent, jumped slightly left throughout, left in front 11th, ridden clear entering straight, kept on well from last
tracked leaders, ridden when hampered 4 out and left 5th, no impression from next
disputed lead early, headed 4th, 2nd from 11th, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd before last, went 2nd from last
The going could make all the difference here as the very progressive and high-class Quito De La Roque may find the ground too lively after his hard-fought success over Sarando in the Grade 2 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree. Quel Esprit has been in touch when falling in two Grade 1s and will win a big one before long though he's another whose form is on ground with plenty of give. Loosen My Load has been contesting high-class events since gaining his first success over fences on this course last May. He's ideally suited by fast conditions and the only doubt is over the trip as he's never raced beyond 2m4f in his career. REVE DE SIVOLA has improved since being stepped up to this distance on his last two starts at Cheltenham and Aintree and, as he loves quick ground, he can beat off the home challenge and take this for Nick Williams.
Head Of The Posse (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 4 out, driven along in 6th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 9, 26l behind Bostons Angel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.
Kakagh (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Un Hinged (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, left moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on to 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Realt Dubh (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 gd in Apr.
Mr Thriller (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden after next, no impression approaching next, 6th of 11, 16l behind Noble Prince (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Quel Esprit (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 11th, led 13th, still going fine when fell 3 out, in a race won by Bostons Angel (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hampered 5th, blundered 13th, headway to challenge 3 out, led and soon headed when stumbled badly 2 out, regained lead last, kept on gamely flat, all out, won at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Sarando (11-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, hit 13th, led after 2 out, jumped right and headed last, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Prince De Beauchene (10-5) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Western Charmer (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Always prominent, chased clear leaders in 3rd halfway, closer after 13th, 2nd before 3 out, led briefly under pressure after next, no impression on winner from before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 25, 5l behind Organisedconfusion (9-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gd in Apr.
Thegreatjohnbrowne (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Led and attempted to make all, headed briefly entering straight, rallied to narrowly lead again before last, headed and edged right under pressure run-in, no extra closing stages, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Bostons Angel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.
