always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened and completely tailed off
led, disputed before 6th, regained lead before 8th, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened 3 out, completely tailed off
chased leader in 2nd, disputed from before 6th, 2nd before 8th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division early, slight mistake 4th and towards rear, slight mistake 6th, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened and completely tailed off
held up towards rear, progress into 7th 3 out, travelled well to challenge entering straight, soon led, ridden and mistake last, kept on run-in, strongly pressed close home and all out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, no impression in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th, improved to lead after 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden and no extra next, weakened entering straight, tailed off
held up, slight mistake 5th, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 3 out, challenged entering straight, ridden in 2nd before last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed early straight and no extra, slight mistake last, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, mistake 5 out, closer in 5th 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, short of room on rail early straight, stayed on in 3rd last, 2nd run-in and kept on well, pressed winner close home
Nicky Henderson won this last year and there's a strong UK entry this time around. Binge Drinker is guaranteed to stay the trip after carrying a big weight to victory at Bangor last month. Fletchers Flyer was conceding 3lb to Definitely Red when just touched off in a Haydock Grade 2 and that looks smart form though not as smart as Thistlecrack's surprise though not undeserved victory in Aintree's Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle where he was in command when left clear at the last. The home defence is led by No More Heroes and SHANESHILL and it's the latter who should just come out on top. The pair met at Navan in December where the former just had the edge and both arrive in superb form. Willie Mullins' charge couldn't quite handle the brilliant Douvan in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but gained an easy victory in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 subsequently and that form looks slightly stronger than that of No More Heroes, who ran a close third to Martello Tower in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
Arctic Skipper (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th from 2nd, switched left approaching 2 out where left 3rd, 2nd before last, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb beating A Hardy Nailer (11-5) by 1/2l, 22 ran.
Binge Drinker (IRE) 10-3fav (11-10) Close up, led 8th, clear 2 out, ran on, comfortable, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Western Jo (11-6) by 7l, 11 ran.
Fletchers Flyer (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Led, pressed from 3 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Haydock 3m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb.
High Stratos 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, bumped at 1st, 5th on outer 3 out, soon pushed along, went 4th and ridden next, improved to lead after last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar beating Speed Demon (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up behind, steady headway after 3 out, came towards stand side rail to lead before last, ridden and headed narrowly flat, stayed on to regain lead final strides, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f cond hcap hdle (2) sft in Mar beating Noble Endeavor (11-6) by hd, 21 ran.
No More Heroes (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, not clear run, hampered and switched left before last, 3 lengths off front pair at hurdle, rallied flat, unable to challenge, 3rd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Martello Tower (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Mar.
Roi Des Francs (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division on outside, towards rear 7th, ridden 9th, well beaten after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Thistlecrack (11-4) at Aintree 3m nh nov hdl (1) gs, 16 ran.
Shaneshill (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Held up early, improved into 3rd before 4th, challenged entering straight, travelled well to lead before 2 out, drew clear before last, not extended, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) beating Outlander (11-10) by 13l, 6 ran.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, headway before last, one pace and no impression, 4th of 12, 18l behind Nichols Canyon (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd.
Thistlecrack 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway from 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, led just after 2 out, edged left before last, 1 length up when left well clear last, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 3m nh nov hdl (1) gs beating Vyta Du Roc (11-4) by 13l, 16 ran.
Fine Article (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leader in 2nd, narrow lead after 3 out and strongly pressed, ridden and disputed before 2 out, kept on, narrowly headed last, rallied and every chance run-in, just held close home, 2nd of 16, nk behind Jimmy Two Times (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl sft.
