chased leaders, 4th after 4th, not fluent 7th, still 4th approaching straight, soon switched right, slight mistake last, soon challenged, kept on well without matching winner run-in
in rear, 7th approaching straight, no extra from last
held up in touch, 6th approaching 6th, 5th approaching straight, soon effort, kept on well without matching principals run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd after 4th, not fluent 4 out, still 3rd approaching straight, soon challenged, kept on well without matching 1st 2 run-in
held up, slight mistakes early, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
soon led, jumped well, joined approaching straight, soon led again and strongly pressed, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, 5th after 4th, not fluent 6th, lost position 4 out, 9th when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out
prominent, 2nd after 4th, on terms approaching straight, soon headed, no extra and one pace run-in
held up, mistake 1st, mistake 9th, soon no extra and pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, 6th approaching straight, soon effort, kept on same pace run-in
towards rear, 8th approaching straight, soon effort, kept on same pace run-in
Nine of the 11 entries are trained by Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott. The former has five engaged with Invitation Only a very progressive novice having landed a Punchestown Grade 3 last month, though he was well behind stable companion Al Boum Photo over hurdles at Fairyhouse in April. The latter easily beat the useful Tycoon Prince on his chasing debut and was travelling easily when falling at the last at Limerick in December, leaving the way clear for Dounikos. Jack Kennedy rides the winner for Elliott but Barry Geraghty looks to have the plum ride on the stable's SUTTON PLACE, owned by J P McManus. A very smart staying hurdler, he was impressive in beating subsequent winner Kemboy on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse and will be very difficult to beat. Henry De Bromhead's Monalee, runner-up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, is another smart recruit to chasing having beaten the useful Any Second Now easily at Punchestown before falling when a short-priced favourite for a Grade 1 here.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 1-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, improved to lead before 6th, pressed and joined before 2 out, soon regained lead, travelling best and went on before last where fell, at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Bon Papa (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Soon in rear, slightly impeded 7th fence jumped, slightly impeded 13th, improved to track leaders travelling smoothly before 2 out, wide into straight, soon no extra, one pace, 3rd of 8, 17 3/4l behind Shattered Love (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Dounikos (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear and 5th halfway, improved into closer 3rd from 2 out, went 2nd before last and soon left in lead, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Tombstone (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Invitation Only (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) Made all, travelling well and asserted approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Koshari (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Koshari (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 8th, pushed along and went 2nd before last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Invitation Only (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Monalee (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 7th fence jumped, fell 10th, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Rathvinden (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, soon raced in 6th, brought down 10th, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 11-8 (11-12) Prominent, led 9th, soon joined, led again before 3 out and asserted from 2 out, stayed on well from before last, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec beating Wishmoor (11-12) by 28l, 5 ran.
Sutton Place (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 8th, close 2nd when not fluent 3 out, 2nd and travelling well entering straight, pushed along to lead before last, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Jan beating Kemboy (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
The Storyteller (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 2 out, ridden and some headway before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Invitation Only (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Tombstone (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 1st, 2nd halfway, improved to dispute lead before 2 out where not fluent and soon headed, ridden before last where mistake, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Dounikos (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
