mid-division, 8th halfway, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, 9th 4 out, progress into close 5th and ridden 2 out, 3rd before last, soon no extra
mid-division, progress halfway, 6th and ridden 3 out, one pace under pressure from 2 out
prominent, 4th halfway, dropped to 8th 4 out, no extra from next
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 4 out, led next, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra approaching last
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, moderate 8th after 2 out, no extra before last
always towards rear
always towards rear
never a factor, behind from halfway
always towards rear
held up towards rear, progress approaching 3 out, 7th 2 out, moderate 4th approaching last, kept on
tracked leaders in 7th, close 5th 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, progress into 6th 4 out, close 3rd after 3 out, 2nd travelling well after 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway on inner 4 out, 5th 3 out, close 4th 2 out, led straight, kept on well under pressure from before last
prominent, led from 6th, headed 3 out, 2nd under pressure 2 out, soon weakened
in touch in mid-division, 10th 4 out, no extra after 3 out
always behind
led, headed 6th, remained close up, 3rd and ridden when slight mistake 3 out, dropped to 7th after 2 out, kept on from last
in touch, 7th approaching halfway, dropped to mid-division 5 out, kept on without threatening from 3 out
mid-division, weakened after 4 out
close up, 3rd halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden and weakened next
An intriguing contest which sees the return to action of Grand National hope Black Apalachi, who ran over hurdles last year before his brilliant effort in the Aintree spectacular. It's amazing to see another veteran chaser, L'Ami, mixing it with the hurdlers and he gained his first success over timber when beating the useful Askanna at Galway in October. Lough Ferrib is 8lb higher than when scoring at Listowel in September but the once high-class Essex is probably still capable of a big run despite his weight. Benash is improving rapidly but is yet to prove he stays this far, a remark that also applies to GOLDEN SUNBIRD but the latter, who came with a late surge to catch Out Now over 2m5f at Limerick, makes her handicap debut from a fair mark and gets the vote in a very tricky affair. Flemensford arrives here in superb shape and is another to consider as trip and ground are ideal.
Essex (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 8th and dropped to last, trailing from 5 out, completely tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Beau Michael (11-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) in Oct.
Benash (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th 4 out, improved into 2nd after 3 out, led before last, drew clear, easily, won at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 beating Garde Champetre (11-3) by 10l, 19 ran.
Heavenly Blues (GER) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, moderate 6th approaching straight, kept on well under pressure from before last without reaching leaders, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Jumbo Rio (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Dec.
The Bishop Looney (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, headway to dispute briefly 2 out, 3rd under pressure approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Across The Bay (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Prince Rudi (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Raced wide, progress halfway, led before 4 out, strongly pressed 3 out, headed entering straight, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Shinrock Paddy (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1).
Sweet Shock (GER) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 3 out, soon ridden to lead, headed 2 out, no extra, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Oscars Well (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Caduceus (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Flat Out (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy.
Lough Ferrib (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Flat Out (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy, 14 ran.
Saville Row (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, no impression under pressure from 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 19, 12l behind Across The Bay (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Silk Affair (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no threat from 2 out, 12th of 19, 26l behind Across The Bay (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Kerb Appeal (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, weakened 3 out, 21st of 24, well behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
L'ami (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Led, headed after 3 out, 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 12l behind Darwins Fox (11-3) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1).
Rivage D'Or (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd from halfway, close up travelling well from before 3 out, challenged 2 out, close 2nd and every chance last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Stay (10-11) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy.
Square Sphere (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) In rear, no impression from 3 out, one pace, 15th of 24, 27l behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
Ballyvoile (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Always prominent, tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, mistakes 4 out and 3 out, ridden and no impression in 4th from before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 11l behind Slippers Percy (11-9) at Thurles 3m beg chase sft.
Golden Sunbird (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Prominent on outer, disputed lead from 3 out, ridden entering straight, kept on well from last, all out to lead close home, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl in Dec beating Out Now (11-5) by hd, 18 ran.
Flemensford (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway into 4th after 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, 2nd after 2 out, closing slightly on 3l leader when left in clear lead at last, kept on, won at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116 in Dec beating Stabilo (9-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Talab 20-1 (9-6) Led, clear to 4th, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, headed early straight, 3rd and kept on from last, 3rd of 24, 6l behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
The Burrow Vic (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 12, 50l behind Curragh Grey (10-10) at Thurles 2m 6f chs.
Night Alliance (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 9th 3 out, soon ridden, 4th after 2 out, left 3rd at last, no extra, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Flemensford (11-0) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116 in Dec.
Current Resession (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, some progress from before 6 out, 9th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 10l behind Killeenmore (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Nov.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) In touch, tracked leader 5th, led 21st, mistake 3 out, ridden and hard pressed after next, headed last, rallied passing elbow, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 40, 5l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Will Jamie Run (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Prominent, disputed lead 4th and 5th, 3rd 6 out, ridden and lost place 4 out, 8th 2 out, kept on same pace, 10th of 28, 18l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Ardglen (IRE) 6-5fav (12-0) Always prominent, led and disputed from 3rd, definite advantage from 5 out, ridden before 2 out, drew clear before last, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Dec beating Yeoman (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Bobsthewizard (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased clear leader, distant 7th halfway, closer 6th early straight, no extra after 2 out, 6th of 15, 22l behind Trendelenburg (10-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens16.
