held up, niggled along halfway, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 4 out, travelling well and went clear entering straight, pushed out and stayed on strongly run-in, easily
tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, weakened from next, no impression straight
in rear, 8th 4 out, effort from next, no impression entering straight, pulled up before last
in rear, mistake 5 out, lost touch with leaders before 3 out
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden in 2nd, no impression on winner from last
tracked leaders on outer, 4th and effort 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
led, headed 4 out, ridden from next, no extra in 3rd straight
tracked leaders, mistake 1st and soon towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 6th
Benefficient is clearly very tough and defied big odds to upset subsequently impressive Aintree winner Dynaste in the Jewson at Cheltenham having taken advantage of Arvika Ligeonniere's fall to beat Oscars Well in the Arkle at Leopardstown in January. Tony Martin's gelding had earlier finished well beaten behind Arvika Ligeonniere, Oscars Well and Baily Green in the Racing Post Chase at Leopardstown, however, though Willie Mullins' charge appears to have lost his confidence and the latter took little interest behind SPECIAL TIARA at Aintree having finished second to Simonsig at Cheltenham. We'll take Henry De Bromhead's six-year-old to continue the improvement he showed at Aintree by following up here. He was reversing running here in the autumn with Baily Green and, after just four starts over fences, should have plenty more to offer. Alderwood looks held on the form book but Realt Mor won a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse, when ahead of Oscars Well and Buckers Bridge, and can't be taken lightly.
Alderwood (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped slowly next, pushed along after not fluent 8th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied from 2 out, went 3rd before last, stayed on flat, unable to get on terms with front pair, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Special Tiara (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd.
Arvika Ligeonniere (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Pressed leader on outside, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Simonsig (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Baily Green (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, lost place approaching 5th, jumped right and behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Special Tiara (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd, 6 ran.
Benefficient (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Led 1st, headed 3 out, soon outpaced in 3rd, ridden and rallied on inside approaching last, regained lead soon after, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Mar beating Dynaste (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Buckers Bridge (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 3 out, weakened from next, last of 6, 12l behind Realt Mor (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Mar.
Oscars Well (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden from next, no impression straight, 5th of 6, 9l behind Realt Mor (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Mar.
Realt Mor (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Made all, clear from 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, mistake and ridden 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Mar beating Dedigout (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Special Tiara 28-1 (11-4) Led 1st until 5th, stayed close 2nd until before 3 out, went 2nd again after 2 out, closed on leader last, driven and stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd beating Overturn (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dazzling Susie (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 6th, soon clear, reduced lead from 6 out, ridden and joined into straight, headed 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Bobbina (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+) gd.
Texas Jack (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, one pace before next, weakened last, 7th of 13, 15l behind Benefficient (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Mar.
