raced in 5th early, soon 4th, pushed along briefly after 7th, closed 10th, on terms from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, headed before last, soon one pace in 3rd
in rear, pecked 4th, 5th from 6th, slight mistake 9th, pushed along approaching straight, no impression and one pace 2 out
close up and disputed lead, mistake 5 out, led 3 out, soon joined, narrow leader last, stayed on well run-in to just prevail
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slightly impeded 5 out, pushed along into straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed on well run-in, not quite match winner
prominent, led from 1st, headed 3rd, soon lost place, slightly slow 6th and rear after, behind approaching 9th, completely tailed off
led early, headed from 1st, led and disputed again from 3rd, slow jump and headed 3 out, soon dropped to 4th, no impression and one pace 2 out
Champagne Fever looked to have an exciting future over fences when beaten a head in the 2014 Arkle at Cheltenham after which he won two Grade 2 races. However, he ran poorly in championship events at Aintree and Punchestown last year, both times starting favourite, and has a very long absence to overcome. Last year's RSA Chase third WOUNDED WARRIOR reappeared after a long break to chase home Don Cossack in a Grade 2 here in January before a moderate performance in very testing conditions in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. He might just be good enough to make a successful reappearance, though Roi Des Francs looks the type to make big strides this campaign. Formerly with Willie Mullins, he has a Grade 2 penalty to carry for his victory at Naas in January and though unable to cope at the highest level later should win some good races. The 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere has only had five runs since that triumph and is probably warming up for a crack at the Welsh National.
Roi Des Francs (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair in touch, mistake 5th, reminders after 9th, lost touch 4 out, no danger after, 6th of 8, dist behind Native River (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, slight mistake 2nd, no impression when mistake 2 out,, 16th of 19, 32 1/2l behind Scoir Mear (10-11) at Galway 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Champagne Fever (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, slight mistake 4 out, 3rd 3 out, no impression straight, soon no extra, 5th of 9, 30 1/4l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Towards rear, hampered 3rd and 5th, weakened and pulled up before 6 out (2nd valentines), at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Page Turner (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Soon led, almost joined 3 out, under pressure and headed approaching straight, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd before 2 out, no impression, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 34l behind Rightville Boy (9-12) at Limerick 2m 1f hcp hvy in Apr.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, mistake 3rd, moderate 5th at 7th, slight mistake 9th, pushed along from 3 out, slightly impeded 2 out, 4th into straight, soon no impression, one pace, 6th of 10, 26l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
