chased clear leader, remote 2nd halfway, no impression 4 out, kept on one pace, dropped to 3rd run-in
chased clear leader, remote 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th after 3 out, no extra in 4th before last
made all, soon clear, 25 lengths lead halfway, further clear before 4 out, mistake 2 out, eased run-in, very easily
in rear, remote 6th halfway, no impression on easy winner in 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace to go 2nd run-in
always towards rear, remote 5th halfway, pushed along and no extra in rear after 4 out, tailed off
chased leader, remote 4th halfway, no impression on clear leader in 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra in 5th after next
Alamein had always looked a potentially decent chaser and made a successful start when beating the fancied Dicosimo at Fairyhouse and can't have been right when beaten a distance in a Naas Grade 3 a fortnight ago. The latter's stable is represented here by GREAT FIELD, who has made all for victories over fences at Gowran and Leopardstown. He's by no means been foot perfect and had to overcome his rider losing an iron last time but looks to have plenty more to offer and can remain unbeaten over the bigger obstacles. Diamond King started favourite for a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last week but pulled up after making a bad mistake then being impeded. Last year's Coral Cup winner should win plenty more races over fences though the selection has more scope. Full Cry has more experience than these rivals and was going well when last seen in October though he would prefer a longer trip while Stone Hard's chances would improve with more rain.
Alamein (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Soon led, mistake 4 out and headed next, soon dropped to rear and jumped left 2 out, weakened, completely tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Ball D'arc (11-8) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Full Cry (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd 5th until 9th, 2nd again 13th, led before 2 out, headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Heron Heights (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
Great Field (FR) 15-8fav (11-9) Made all, clear from 4th, reduced advantage after 4 out, extended advantage again 3 out, mistake 2 out, pecked last and almost unseated rider, recovered and ridden run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Don't Touch It (11-9) by 8l, 5 ran.
Hurricane Ben (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, lost further ground before 6 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Tocororo (9-12) at Galway 2m 2f (1) sft in Sep.
Stone Hard (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 8, dist behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-3) at Navan 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Hello Sweetie 16-1 (10-11) Slowly into stride and detached in rear from start, closed up on field at 2nd, 6th after 3rd, improved to 3rd before 7th, 4th 4 out, dropped to 6th 3 out, weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Listen Dear (11-1) at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Diamond King (IRE) 5-1fav (11-4) Towards rear, blundered 6th, struggling 10th, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
