made all, pushed along approaching straight, stayed on best inside final furlong
in rear early, soon raced in 4th, closed up into 3rd before 3 out, tracked leaders on inner approaching straight, 2nd over 1f out, kept on well without matching winner inside final furlong
raced in 2nd, 3rd after 9th, dropped to 4th before 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out, soon no extra
soon raced in 3rd, closed up before 9th, soon 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, no impression over 1f out, soon one pace in 3rd
Mala Beach is a very smart staying chaser on his day but hasn't run since pulling up in last year's Irish National where he was rated higher than any of these. ARBRE DE VIE ran well in the Plate here before beating Shaneshill easily on a return visit. He didn't appear to handle heavy ground in the Kerry National and should be more at home here. A Genie In Abottle only won once last season but gave notice of bigger things to come when a fine third behind stable companion Disko in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. He has to concede 4lb to the race-fit selection which may be beyond him at this stage. Call The Taxie made a very impressive chasing debut at Navan and looks a smart prospect but takes on much better rivals here.
A Genie In Abottle (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, disputed moderate 2nd when slight mistake last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Disko (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Mala Beach (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inner, 9th halfway, no extra after 5 out, behind and pulled up after 4 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Arbre De Vie (FR) 6-1jfav (11-2) Mid-division, 6th after 10th, disputed 4th into straight, no extra from 2 out and one pace, 7th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Potters Point (10-5) at Listowel 3m hcp hvy in Sep.
Cable 16-1 (11-5) Held up off pace in last, trailing 7th, no impression from 5 out, never a factor, 5th of 6, dist behind Call It Magic (11-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Call The Taxie (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd 5 out, challenged and slight mistake 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Sep beating A Sizing Network (11-12) by 9l, 11 ran.
