tracked leaders in 4th early, 5th at 5th, ridden in moderate 4th 3 out, went remote 3rd 2 out, no impression
held up in last early, went 4th at 5th, headway into 2nd travelling well after 3 out, led before last, pushed along early run-in, stayed on strongly, easily
led, jumped left, jumped badly left at 10th, ridden entering straight, soon strongly pressed, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent at 2nd and niggled along, mistake next and dropped to last, reminders and trailing at 6th, behind and pulled up before 10th
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 7th, slight mistake 5 out, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, dropped to moderate 3rd entering straight, remote 4th 2 out, no impression
Measureofmydreams, a Grade 2 novice winner and a close third behind Minella Rocco and Native River in the 2016 National Hunt Chase, is the top rated here but hasn't run since the 2017 Irish Grand National and is probably warming up for another crack at the big one at Aintree. NICK LOST began over fences with a double last summer and his last two runs have been at Grade 2 and 1 level so this represents a huge drop in class and he gets the nod. Snugsborough Benny usually jumps and stays well so it was a surprise when he unseated four out in the Paddy Power while Call It Magic ran a fine race in the Becher Chase and any further rain would greatly enhance his prospects, a remark that also applies to Fine Theatre. Wounded Warrior is an out-and-out stayer whose last victory was over 3m6f on soft going at Punchestown in April.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Soon mid-division, mistake 4 out, moderate 10th approaching straight, kept on same pace, 9th of 28, 32 1/4l behind Our Duke (11-4) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Snugsborough Benny (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Waited with, 16th after 7th, mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Call It Magic (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Led after 1st, prominent, jumped left and headed 6th, led after next, headed before 8th, led 17th, went left next, clear between 3 out and 2 out, headed before elbow, lost 2nd 100 yards out, 4th of 18, 7 3/4l behind Walk In The Mill (10-3) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Fine Theatre (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to lead briefly after 3 out, ridden before next where mistake, no extra approaching last, 7th of 19, 11 1/4l behind Allez Kal (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led early, soon joined, a little slow 2nd, led before 4th, joined 6th, pushed along after 3 out, headed approaching straight, no impression and switched left approaching 2 out, one pace, just prevailed for moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Daybreak Boy (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f Yielding in Jan.
Nick Lost (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3 out, soon pushed along and lost place after next, no extra in rear early straight, weakened, slight mistake last, 6th of 7, dist behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
