Follow The Plan won this a year ago and produced an even better performance to land the Betfred Bowl at Aintree. He must be a major threat now back on form though he was beaten eight lengths by QUEL ESPRIT in the Hennessy at Leopardstown and the winner looks another for Willie Mullins. His earlier jumping problems appear to have been ironed out and he had Roberto Goldback behind at Leopardstown. Rubi Light looks a major threat to all as he had Roberto Goldback behind when landing a Grade 2 at Gowran last year. He's mainly untested at this trip but he'll love the ground and looks certain to go well. Captain Chris won the Ryanair at this meeting a year ago and finished in front of Rubi Light in the Ryanair at Cheltenham so has to be respected.
Apt Approach (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, pecked 15th, one pace and no impression, 8th of 26, 39l behind Always Waining (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Chased leaders early, squeezed along 5th, dropped to last 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Captain Chris (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, took keen hold, jumped right at times, lost place 12th, rallied from 2 out, went 4th after last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 12, 6l behind Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Follow The Plan (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up in touch on inside, smooth headway to track leaders 4 out, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, 4 lengths clear last, kept on, won at Aintree 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs beating Burton Port (11-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Magnanimity (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, 6th at 14th, headway into 2nd 5 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 5th and mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Lion Na Bearnai (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gs, 29 ran.
Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 11-2fav (11-12) Mid-division on inside, headway 12th, outpaced 15th, 8th and hard driven 3 out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 7th of 19, 23l behind Alfie Sherrin (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Quel Esprit (FR) 5-4fav (11-10) Prominent, led from 4th, travelling best early straight and asserted before last, kept on under pressure run-in and reduced advantage final 100 yards, won at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb beating Roberto Goldback (11-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
Roberto Goldback (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Mid-division, struggling 13th, behind when mistake 15th, no danger after, 8th of 11, 31l behind Follow The Plan (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs.
Rubi Light (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Prominent, challenged 7th, led next until 12th, led 4 out, headed next, 4th and beaten after 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 12, 8l behind Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Noble Prince (GER) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, jumped right 6th, 7th and when mistake 8th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
