held up, closer order 11th, soon 3rd, under pressure into straight, challenged from 2 out, led last, asserted run-in, easily
tracked leader, slow jump 2nd, on terms from 3rd, jumped slightly left at times, slight mistake 7 out and headed, not fluent next 2 either and last 5 out, pushed along from next, behind from 3 out, soon eased
tracked leaders, mainly in 3rd, not fluent 4th, on terms 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd and one pace from before last
led, joined from 3rd, led from 7 out, joined again 4 out, headed last, no impression and one pace run-in
Roi Du Mee won this in 2011 and 2012 and was narrowly beaten by stablemate Toner D'Oudairies a year ago. His target is the Grade 1 JNwine at Down Royal in a couple of weeks, which he won last year, and he may just need the run. That event is also the target for stablemate Don Cossack, who also has a Grade 1 penalty to carry for his victory in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in December. Both are classy performers though the concession of 8lb at this stage of the season to the race-fit ALDERWOOD may prove beyond them. Tom Mullins' charge, winner of last year's Grand Annual at Cheltenham, hasn't had much racing subsequently but showed he was on the way back with a fine effort in the Kerry National at Listowel and can take advantage of the weight concession from Gordon Elliott's pair. Loosen My Load did well to beat a decent field at Galway though these rivals are in a different league. Rubi Light had his biggest day when landing the John Durkan here in December 2011. He's only won once subsequently but has been tackling the very best and if he's back to anywhere near his best he will prove a big threat.
Don Cossack (GER) 4-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, slow jump 1st, slight mistake 8th, headed 4 out and ridden, dropped to 4th after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 21l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Led early, headed 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 4th, slight mistake 6th and soon dropped well behind leading 2, mistake 7th, dropped to remote last at 9th, no impression from 4 out, last of 4, 38l behind Bog Warrior (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Mar.
Alderwood (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake on inner 6 out, ridden along when slight mistake again 4 out, progress into 4th entering straight, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 18, 7l behind Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Prominent, on terms 6th, slightly slow jump 6 out, 2nd 4 out, on terms again 2 out, led and stayed on well final furlong, won at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Sep beating Armaramak (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rubi Light (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Soon raced in 2nd, pushed along before straight, dropped to last from before 2 out, soon no extra, last of 5, 18l behind Perfect Gentleman (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f hdl hvy in Feb.
