mid-division, chased leaders on outside over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led narrowly, headed 7f out, soon lost place, behind final 4f, tailed off
tracked leaders, led narrowly 7f out, headed narrowly over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish
held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leading pair over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reached leaders
raced keenly, held up towards rear, not much room on inside and stumbled over 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
disputed lead throughout, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden and hard pressed final furlong, stayed on towards finish
raced keenly, held up towards rear, outpaced 3f out, never able to challenge, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders on inside, lost place 4f out, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
The Irish have had four winners in this in the last 10 years and are well represented again. Willie Mullins saddles Downpatrick winner Koko Lane and Punchestown runner-up Supreme Carolina, while Margaret Mullins has entered September's Gowran winner Mumbo Jumbo. Jimbill and Josh's Dreamway both put unbeaten records on the line and Cross Of Honour made a winning start under Rules at Carlisle. Paul Nicholls has won this for the past two years and relies on Salubrious this season. He won in a canter at Stratford for Pam Sly and could be anything but we just prefer MONTBAZON. His second to Step To Freedom in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April is top-class bumper form and the winner has already won three times over hurdles this season, including a Grade 2 here on Friday.
Cross Of Honour (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led over 7f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Gorey Lane (11-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Heavenstown (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led 2f, pressed leader, led again 5f out, driven along 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating The Romford Pele (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Jimbill (IRE) 1-3fav (11-3) In touch, quickened to lead over 1f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Barrison (11-3) by 8l, 6 ran.
Koko Lane (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Led, headed after 6f, 2nd halfway, 3rd 8f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden into 2nd 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, strongly pressed close home, all out, just held on, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gs in Oct beating Ironmill Lad (11-9) by shd, 10 ran.
Montbazon (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 9f out, tracked leaders going well from over 2f out, led just over 1f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 20, 2l behind Steps To Freedom (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Mumbo Jumbo (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, closer in 4th 5f out, 3rd from 4f out, challenged travelling best and on terms 2f out, soon led and drew clear final furlong, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m N H flat gf in Sep beating Solidago (11-5) by 4l, 10 ran.
One Term (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Made virtually all, came clear final 2f, readily, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Knock A Hand (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Salubrious (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gf in Sep beating The Romford Pele (11-0) by 21l, 13 ran.
Canadian Dreamer (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Ride The Tide.
Catch Tammy (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 3rd 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, trying to challenge when carried right inside final furlong, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Clondaw Warrior (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gf in Oct.
Josh's Dreamway (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, led 3f out, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Uttoxeter 2m mares n h flat (6) gd in May beating Lady Kathleen (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Supreme Carolina (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression leader 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Missunited (10-12) at Punchestown 2m mrs N H flat hvy in Oct.
