mid-division, headway into 3rd at 5th, disputed 2nd briefly and mistake 4 out, ridden and disputed 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner from 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, no impression
made all at fast pace, jumped well, clear from 4th, reduced advantage 4 out, went clear again from 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
tracked leaders, 2nd at 5th, joined for 2nd briefly 4 out, ridden and dispute d2nd again entering straight, no impression on winner from 2 out, went moderate 2nd at last, kept on one pace
in rear, not fluent at 1st and 2nd, some modest progress 4 out, went moderate 4th next, kept on one pace straight
mid-division, mistake 5th, no impression in moderate 5th from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th when mistake 9th and not fluent next, pushed along 4 out, no impression and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader in 2nd early, bad mistake 3rd and dropped to rear at 5th, no impression from 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, never a factor
Ballycasey won two Grade 2's and a Grade 3 at the beginning of last year and has been keeping good company ever since. This represents a big drop in class and he has to be considered. BALLYOISIN has progressed into a smart young chaser and was impressive in a Grade 3 at Killarney last time where he made all. He'll take some catching in that kind of form. Champagne West was rated 167 when running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year though has hardly picked his feet up subsequently but Val De Ferbet, four times a winner over fences, arrives in winning form having scored on the Flat at Clonmel last month. Wounded Warrior is a tough heavy-ground stayer who is likely to find a few too quick but Woodland Opera landed a Grade 2 novices' event here in November and has continued to run well.
Ballycasey (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, bumped at 5th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Ballyoisin (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Soon led, went on from before 9th, hit 3 out but still travelling smoothly and quickly asserted, stayed on well from before last, easily, won at Killarney 2m 5f (1) gd in May beating Alisier D'Irlande (11-2) by 9 1/2l, 7 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, closer before 3 out and challenged early straight, ridden in 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Supreme Vinnie (9-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in May.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Prominent early before settling behind leaders, improved into 2nd and almost on terms from 6th, slight mistake next, not fluent 2 out and soon ridden, no extra in 3rd before last, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Net D'Ecosse (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp sft in May.
Champagne West (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Disputed lead, some slight mistakes, pressed before straight, soon headed and weakened, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Icantsay (9-10) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp gd in May.
Shadow Catcher 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, dropped to rear of mid-division and slight mistake 6th, mistake next, weakened, 14th of 24, dist behind Cadmium (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, headway to dispute 5f out and led under 4f out, joined entering straight, ridden to lead again early final furlong, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in May beating Days Without End (11-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Vodka Society (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Always behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Navan 2m 6f hcp sft in Dec.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Disputed lead early, soon led and went on, stayed on well from before last, won at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp sft in Apr beating Isleofhopendreams (11-10) by 7l, 19 ran.
