chased leaders, dropped to rear approaching 6 out, soon no impression and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd for much, ridden in pursuit of winner from before last, kept on without getting there run-in
soon chased leaders, 4th for much, slightly slow jump 4 out, went in pursuit of winner approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
held up in rear, not always fluent jumping, progress approaching 6 out and soon close up, on terms from 5 out and led before next, clear approaching straight, soon reduced lead, went on again from 2 out, stayed on well from last
waited with, poor 5th approaching 4 out, soon no impression
led, not fluent 6th, jumped right 7th, joined from 5 out, headed before next, mistake 3 out, soon no extra
prominent, lost place and no extra when mistake 5 out, pulled up 3 out
Eion Doyle won this last year with The Fonze and King High, who won a very tough handicap at Cork when last seen over jumps in October, will have his followers despite running poorly on the Flat in recent weeks. Tom Doyle set a furious pace on REGAL D'ESTRUVAL at Killarney last time and was unfortunate to be caught close home by Shot From The Hip. That was over 2m5f and as he's 4lb better off and certain to be better suited by the shorter trip he gets the vote. Alpine Eagle looked a progressive chaser when completing a double early last summer but disappointed at Galway in July and hasn't been seen since. River Liane looks best of the remainder.
King High (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, closer order into straight, 4th 3 out, led next, quickly clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m hcp chs in Oct beating Majestic Oak (9-10) by 5l, 9 ran.
Shot From The Hip (GER) 7-2 (10-13) Prominent in chasing group, well off pace, ridden to close from before 2 out, on terms last, gained narrow lead and stayed on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 4f chs gd in May beating Regal D'estruval (10-13) by nk, 6 ran.
River Liane (FR) 20-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, mistake 8th, moderate 7th entering straight, no extra and weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Paddy Pub (9-7) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Alpine Eagle (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, niggled along 4 out, ridden into moderate 4th into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 8l behind Down In Neworleans (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Anshan Dreams 11-4fav (11-12) Waited with in mid-division, 6th before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Clouded Thoughts (11-9) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chase gd in May.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 9-1 (10-13) Led and clear, reducing lead and not fluent 3 out, strongly pressed and joined last, soon headed, rallied well but not quite match winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Shot From The Hip (10-13) at Killarney 2m 4f chs gd in May.
Westmeath (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led and disputed, headed after 3 out, weakened before next, 20th of 21, well behind He's Our Man (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in May.
Free World (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hit 5th, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Edgardo Sol (11-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
