disputed lead, headed and slow jump 3 out, soon dropped 3rd, no extra from before 2 out, not fluent last and dropped to 5th near line
waited with behind leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged and on terms before next, soon headed and kept on same pace from before last
waited with towards rear, headway to track leaders from 6 out, 4th after 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before next
tracked leaders, tended to jump a little left, ridden along and dropped last of the 6 after 6 out, left alone downhill after 3 out, kept on without threatening under pressure from next
disputed lead, definite leader 3 out, pressed and joined before next, soon in front again and stayed on well under pressure to draw clear run-in
waited with towards rear, closed from 6 out, 5th 4 out, no extra from before 2 out
The Midnight Club, who started favourite for the Grand National and finished sixth, may do better of the Willie Mullins pair as Apt Approach makes too many mistakes though he got away with it at Thurles last time. The Fonze has been a fantastic servant to connections and won his 16th race at Tipperary in June but the ground looks against him. Roi Du Mee and TRANQUIL SEA met in the John Durkan at Punchestown where the former fell at the last when in third position. The latter was beaten at the time and pulled up but he had suffered by attempting to match strides with the winner and, ridden with more restraint here, can gain the 12th success of his career.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, moderate 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Rubi Light (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) in Dec, 7 ran.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd approaching 4 out, no extra after 3 out, weakened and eased, pulled up before last, in a race won by Rubi Light (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) in Dec, 7 ran.
The Fonze (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, closed into 2nd 3 out, switched to challenge before 2 out, soon led, clear at last, stayed on well, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 1f chs gd in Jun beating Schelm (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
The Midnight Club (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division when brought down 4th, in a race won by Jetson (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec, 25 ran.
Apt Approach (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, closed to challenge when mistake 2 out, led before last and stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Thurles 3m chs hvy in Nov beating Baily View (10-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Merchent Paddy (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 6th when fell 11th, in a race won by West End Rocker (10-10) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
