disputed lead, led from 14th, headed 6 out, soon ridden, moderate 2nd when mistake 2 out, soon weakened quickly
in rear, headway from 20th, mistake 22nd (Rubys Double), led 6 out, clear from 4 out, reduced advantage and ridden entering straight, bad mistake at last, kept on under pressure run-in, all out to hold on
mid-division, headway from 22nd, close 3rd when fell 7 out
mid-division when fell 6th (Rubys Double)
always towards rear, no impression from 25th, pulled up before 5 out
towards rear, mistake 8th, headway into 8th 28th, ridden in moderate 5th 3 out, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home and pressed winner to line
disputed lead, slow jump 12th (Rubys Double), headed 14th, close up until 28th, ridden from next, dropped to moderate 4th 3 out, went moderate 2nd next, kept on under pressure run-in
towards rear, hampered 19th, headway from 21st, under pressure in 6th when fell 5 out (Rubys Double)
tracked leaders, hampered 19th, ridden from 5 out, no impression from next
always in rear, trailing from 19th, pulled up after 25th
mid-division, mistake 20th, soon weakened, pulled up after 25th
towards rear, headway from 27th, ridden in moderate 6th 4 out, kept on without threatening
towards rear, bad mistake 9th, hampered 19th, soon weakened, pulled up before 22nd
tracked leaders, 3rd when fell 19th
tracked leaders, close up until 27th, weakened from 7 out, no extra when slightly hampered and pulled up after next
tracked leaders, weakened from 22nd, pulled up after 26th
tracked leaders, hampered 19th, progress into close 3rd 5 out (Rubys Double), ridden from next, no impression from 3 out
Big Shu won the cross-country chase at Cheltenham last month but was meeting many of today's rivals on better terms. Peter Maher's charge may struggle to stage an encore as he was receiving 3lb when beaten by Arabella Boy over 3m here in February. Bostons Angel is closely tied in with a few of these but the feeling persists that this trip stretches his stamina. Uncle Junior won this last year, just holding off veteran Lydon House with Long Strand behind. He has a chance again and Arabella Boy and OUTLAW PETE both failed to complete that day. But Josh Halley's stayer had just hit the front when falling five out and he's had another good season which he can top it by landing this, though Star Neuville is capable of running a big race and winning pointer Givemeabuzz may surprise a few on his first try over the trip.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 6th, closed 23rd, weakened last, 7th of 16, 26l behind Big Shu (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Big Shu (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 23rd, led before 27th, clear after 3 out, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar beating Shakervilz (10-0) by 4l, 16 ran.
Outlaw Pete (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 9th, mistake 12th, closed 22nd, close up 28th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Big Shu (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 26th, in a race won by Big Shu (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Doctor Woodfield (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Close up and disputed lead, lost place into straight, soon no extra, last of 7, 41l behind Mister First (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Jan.
Another Jewel (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Held up behind, some headway under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 8th of 11, 30l behind Outlaw Pete (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 7th, closed 21st, mistake 5 out, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 16, 16l behind Big Shu (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Long Strand (IRE) Evens (10-11) Tr ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, ld 4out, kow run-in, won at Templemore 3m ire ptp gd beating Kilcrea Castle (10-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
Lydon House 40-1 (10-9) Made most to 19th, with leader until lost place 26th, blundered next, soon weakened, behind from 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Outlaw Pete (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
O'Muircheartaigh (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid div, no impress from 5out, ko onepce, 4th of 9, 38l behind Long Strand (11-4) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp in Mar.
Potters Wall (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Alw rr, pu 3out, in a race won by Kilford (11-4) at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp gs, 12 ran.
Saddlers Storm (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, in rear 17th, tailed off 26th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Big Shu (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Some Target (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid div, prog 3out, wknd bef last, ko same pace, 4th of 6, 16l behind Strongpoint (12-0) at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp gd.
Spiker The Biker (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Held up, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 6 out, pushed along before straight, ridden in close 3rd 3 out, soon disputed 2nd, 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Dont Tell De Purty (9-7) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd.
Star Neuville (FR) 28-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 8th and in rear when mistake 4 out, slow 2 out and no extra, weakened, completely tailed off, last of 6, well behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb.
Wizards Dust 10-1 (12-0) Alw bhnd, nev a dngr, 5th of 9, 43l behind Long Strand (11-4) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp in Mar.
Givemeabuzz (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Pr, gd jmp 2out & wo 2l clr, jnd appr last, hdd early run-in, rallied well, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Derg Princess (11-4) at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp gs.
