chased leaders in 3rd, closer order but 4th before 3 out, 3rd again before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace from before last
held up in rear, closed to dispute 6th 3 out, pushed along to chase leaders on outer before straight, no impression approaching last where impeded, one pace
mistake 2nd, raced in 6th, slightly slow 7th and pushed along briefly, dropped towards rear 3 out and pushed along, soon no impression
led, reduced lead 8th, pressed 9th, joined 10th, hit 2 out, headed approaching straight, weakened from before last
chased leader in 2nd, pushed along briefly before 9th, on terms 10th, led approaching straight, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well run-in
towards rear, closed to dispute 6th 3 out, tracked leaders travelling smoothly before straight, switched left to challenge on outer before last where every chance when fell
towards rear in 7th, impeded and stumbled slightly after 3rd, hit 10th, still towards rear 3 out, soon no impression, slight mistake 2 out, no extra and eased before straight
slow jumps 1st and 3rd, raced in 4th, slightly slow 8th, closer in 3rd before 3 out where slightly slow, 2nd before straight, soon challenged, slightly slow last, kept on without matching winner run-in
raced in 5th, hit 10th, pushed along after 3 out still in 5th, no impression in 7th before straight, no extra and eased before last
ALPHA DES OBEAUX will take the world of beating here. Mouse Morris' charge finished runner-up to Nichols Canyon in the Champion Novices' Hurdle at this meeting a year ago and has thrived since stepped up in trip. His easy victory over At Fishers Cross at Gowran in January signalled a challenge for the World Hurdle and though put in his place by Thistlecrack he was a very long way clear of the remainder and should go one better. Willie Mullins won this four times in succession with Quevga and Shaneshill looks a danger after his defeat by Thistlecrack at Aintree. He was beaten exactly the same distance as the selection at Cheltenham after returning from chasing so he's certainly no forlorn hope. Diamond King beat Jennies Jewel over 2m4f here in January then went to Cheltenham for the Coral Cup where he won with something in hand. It's a big leap to Grade 1 company but he has the scope to go well. One Track Mind hasn't had much racing so his close second to Reve de Sivola at Haydock was a fine effort.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outside, headway to track front pair after 3 out, went 2nd and challenged after next, soon ridden, one pace before last, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Thistlecrack (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Diamond King (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division in touch, smooth headway 2 out, effort on inside between last 2, upsides last, soon led, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar beating Long House Hall (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 26 ran.
If In Doubt (IRE) 9-2fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well run-in, went 2nd last 50 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 19, 1 3/4l behind Ubak (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Lieutenant Colonel 33-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, not fluent 7th, blundered badly and almost unseated rider 3 out, not recover, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
One Track Mind (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked winner, pushed along in 3rd when not fluent 3 out, regained 2nd next, ridden between last 2, 3 lengths down after last, stayed on well final 75 yards, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Reve De Sivola (11-10) at Haydock 2m 7f (1) hvy in Feb.
Shaneshill (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch in 4th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Thistlecrack (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Thousand Stars (FR) 5-1 (10-10) won at Auteuil 3m sft in Nov beating Aubusson (10-10) by shd, 10 ran.
Jennies Jewel (IRE) 2-1 (10-7) Slight mistake 1st, soon tracked leader, challenged approaching 3 out and on terms when slightly slow, headed, challenged again 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on best run-in, won at Thurles 3m Yielding in Mar beating Val De Ferbet (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Legacy Gold (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Behind, headway after 3 out, chased leaders before last, ridden and stayed on into 3rd flat, not reach front pair, 3rd of 19, 3 1/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Dedigout (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd after 3 out, ridden and no impression next, kept on run-in, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Value At Risk (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
