always rear, never a factor, pushed along after 4 out and no extra from next, weakened, slight mistake last
always towards rear, jumped right and bumped rival 4th, mistake 8th and slight mistake 10th, no extra from 3 out, weakened
chased leader, moderate 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 4 out, went 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, headway to lead run-in, kept on well
chased leader, moderate 3rd halfway, dropped to 5th before 5 out, no impression after 3 out, no extra in straight
chased clear leader, 2nd halfway, closer 4 out, pushed along in 3rd after 2 out and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
led and soon clear, 10 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden and kept on after 2 out, headed run-in, no impression on winner
raced in moderate 5th, jumped left and bumped rival 4th, closer in 4th 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression when slight mistake last, no extra
The best line-up of the season so far. Jonjo O'Neill sends MINELLA ROCCO (NAP) from the UK and last year's National Hunt Chase winner and this year's Gold Cup runner-up has to be the selection with race conditions very much in his favour. He obviously needs a thorough test of stamina and with conditions likely to ease again should return to action with a victory as he still has plenty of scope for improvement. Outlander was well beaten in the Gold Cup and his jumping went to pieces in the Irish version here. He was beaten over 3l by Sub Lieutenant on his reappearance at Down Royal in November but the winner produces his best form over shorter. Carlingford Lough hasn't had much racing in recent years but his victory over Djakadam in last year's Irish Gold Cup points to his quality while Road To Respect had a superb novice campaign winning a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham then the Ryanair at Fairyhouse. Zabana beat Outlander in the Champion Novice Chase here in 2016 though didn't make the expected progress last term while Kilcarry Bridge isn't this class.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, 5th from 6th, last and slight mistake 9th, pushed along approaching 3 out, one pace run-in, 4th of 7, 5l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Outlander (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in 5th, dropped to last at 3rd, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened from 7th, behind when pulled up before 10th, at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Road To Respect (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed after 4th, disputed again after 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, kept on to lead after last, just held on at line, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Yorkhill (11-10) by nk, 6 ran.
Zabana (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, slight mistake 6th and headed, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute 2 out, headed entering straight, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Prominent, led before 9th, headed 11th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on, eased close home, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Fox Norton (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Led, almost joined 5th and clear of remainder, joined approaching 3 out and came to field somewhat, went on alone from before straight, stayed on well from before last, eased close home, won at Gowran Park 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep beating High Nellie (9-10) by 10l, 14 ran.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, outpaced after 3 out, rallied last, soon went 4th, stayed on well flat, went 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
