led early, headed 1st and jumped left, prominent, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, tended to jump left, pushed along from 3 out, no impression when mistake next, not fluent last, one pace
towards rear, slight mistake 1st, last when very slow 2nd and reminders, never a factor, completely tailed off
chased leaders, soon 3rd, slightly slow 2nd, joined for 3rd 5 out and bumped, soon pushed along briefly, pushed along from 4 out, dropped to moderate 4th from next and no impression, one pace
chased leaders, soon 4th, not fluent 6th, disputed 3rd 5 out and collided with rival, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from after 3 out
led 1st, went on from before 3 out where slight mistake, stayed on well straight, easily
towards rear, slight mistake 1st, never a factor, completely tailed off
Willie Mullins won this in 2013/13 with classy performers and DANEKING is handed the vote to make a successful start over the bigger obstacles. He's been in good form over hurdles without winning with his close third in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree looking a very smart performance. Macnicholson has a similar profile over timber and he's another who has been in excellent form without managing a victory with his latest second to Some Article at Punchestown a stand-out performance. The Game Changer, who was only just behind in that latter race and had also run very well at Aintree, makes this a strong line-up of chasing newcomers. Salsa Sensation doesn't have their form over timber but the winning point-to-pointer has always looked like making a cracking chaser and arrives in good form having easily landed a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in March.
Daneking 14-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division and took keen hold, good headway 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, weakened before last, eased run-in, 9th of 22, 25l behind Sort It Out (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft.
Kylestyle (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division for most, ridden and no impression after 4 out, 16th of 25, well behind Shamiran (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f cond hcap hdle in Apr.
Macnicholson (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Always prominent, slight mistake 4th, gained narrow lead before last and jumped slightly left, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 25, 3/4l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Mr Picotee (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Chased leader, 4th halfway, closer 3 out and led next, strongly pressed last, kept on under pressure run-in, won at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Three Stars (11-4) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
The Game Changer (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Soon rear of mid-division, stumbled after 3rd, tight for room on inner approaching 2 out and headway, closed approaching straight still travelling smoothly, disputed 4th at last, challenged run-in, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 25, 1 1/4l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
The Two Jays (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Soon mid-division, got slight bump 4th, 7th after next, pushed along in 5th approaching straight, no impression from 2 out, 9th of 16, 20l behind Forjoethepainter (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Oct.
Salsa Sensation (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, closer in 3rd when bad mistake 3 out, soon 2nd, improved to lead travelling well before last, pushed out run-in, stayed on well comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl in Mar beating News For Pascal (11-1) by 7l, 10 ran.
Blackwater Bridge (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up, not fluent 5th, 8th from 7th, pushed along from 5 out, 10th when mistake 3 out, no extra, 10th of 14, well behind Morney Wing (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chase in Apr.
