tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and lost place after 4 out, kept on one pace in straight
led after 1st, mistake 5 out, travelled well 3 out and asserted after next, 5 lengths clear last and stayed on well run-in
rear of mid-division, some progress approaching straight, pushed along in 8th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace
mid-division, pushed along in 8th entering straight, no impression in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, never a factor, no extra 4 out, behind and pulled up before next
mid-division, progress after 4 out, 5th and pecked 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, detached before 10th, pulled up before 3 out
always rear, mistake 5th, detached before 10th, mistake 12th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, progress in 4th 4 out and went 2nd before next, ridden and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression in 4th when mistake 2 out, no extra
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, pushed along and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
prominent early, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th 2 out, no extra when fell last
tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, 6th halfway, pushed along and no extra from 3 out, weakened
rear of mid-division on outer, pushed along and no impression after 9th, detached before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 10th, ridden and no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, reminder after 3rd, in rear and pulled up after 6th
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 10th, no impression before 3 out, in rear and pulled up before 2 out
This is generally won by a very good horse including On His Own, who scored twice. His trainer, who has two reserves, is represented by Pleasant Company who once again showed what a good horse he is when landing a lucrative handicap at Punchestown in April. His target is the Grand National so he may not be quite ready for this. My Murphy won the race a year ago with a very gallant display and though 9lb higher a recent run over timber will have put him right for another crack. Gordon Elliott has no less than seven entered and the novice Prince Of Scars makes his handicap debut after racing in Grade 1 company so he's one to note while Clarcam has also been racing at a high level though he's yet to prove himself over the trip. UCELLO CONTI was a close third in this a year ago where a mistake three out may have cost him the race. He's another who could be heading for Aintree but this looks within his capabilities and he gets the vote. Montys Meadow is another to consider in a wide-open handicap.
Roi Des Francs (FR) 13-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, closer order 6th, pushed along in 2nd after 3 out, soon under pressure, no impression and one pace from after 2 out, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Champagne West (11-2) at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Champagne West (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Made all, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden to assert and stayed on well, easily, won at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Roi Des Francs (11-9) by 12l, 5 ran.
Clarcam (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, 5th early, slight mistake 7th, one pace straight, 9th of 18, 6 1/4l behind A Toi Phil (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, dropped to mid-division 6 out, ridden towards rear next, weakened, last of 13, dist behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
My Murphy (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, slight mistakes 2nd and 3rd, ridden 4 out, no impression, 5th of 6, dist behind Supasundae (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Mid-division early, progress to chase leaders at 6th, improved to dispute 3 out, soon led, ridden 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr beating Regal Encore (11-1) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Always towards rear, never involved, 12th of 20, 27 1/4l behind The Young Master (11-1) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Toon River (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Towards rear, remote 7th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, progress in 4th next and went 2nd 2 out, slight mistake last and no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 12 1/2l behind Moores Road (9-11) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Ucello Conti (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, soon towards rear, mistake 8th, headway and kept on same pace straight, 7th of 28, 16 1/4l behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 8th, prominent when slow jump 2 out, one pace straight, 9th of 28, 24 3/4l behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Soon mid-division, no impression before 4 out, soon no extra, 21st of 28, dist behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Jetstream Jack (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching last, weakened, 7th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Our Duke (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 8th 4 out, headway entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Westerner Point (10-9) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Prince Of Scars (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Towards rear, never a factor, 8th 4 out, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Our Duke (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, slightly impeded 10th, some headway and kept on same pace from before straight, 11th of 28, 28 3/4l behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Bonny Kate (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led or disputed lead from 6th, led 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed after next, headed before last, no impression in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 25, 5 1/4l behind Empire Of Dirt (11-8) at Navan 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Rogue Trader (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Soon mid-division, bad mistake 9th, not fluent 3 out and 2 out, pushed along to chase leaders and kept on straight, 5th of 28, 11 1/2l behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Shadow Catcher 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 6th early, not fluent 5th, slight mistake next, soon pulled up, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Sambremont (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 8th, mistake 11th, impeded next, no extra and pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Texas Jack (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 11th 4 out, closer in 7th and ridden entering straight, soon no impression, 7th of 16, 17l behind Westerner Point (10-9) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 11-4fav (10-1) Soon towards rear, progress to chase leaders from 2 out, went 5th straight, chased winner and kept on without threatening closing stages, 2nd of 28, 3 1/2l behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
