mid-division early, closer in 8th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden 2 out, disputed entering straight, headed last, under pressure in 3rd closing stages of run-in, lost 3rd close home
held up towards rear, progress into 12th 4 out, ridden when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out
refused to race
always towards rear, pecked 1st, ridden and no impression 4 out
towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 4 out
rear of mid-division for most, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened and pulled up before last
rear of mid-division early, slight mistake 8th, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened and pulled up before last
chased leaders and prominent early, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, stayed on to challenge last where fell
mid-division, progress into 6th 4 out, ridden entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened and pulled up before last
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, ridden in 12th 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on run-in to 5th close home
mid-division, progress into 7th 2 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, stayed on to lead last, headed final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
soon towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out
refused to race
mid-division, ridden into 9th 2 out, stayed on into 5th last, kept on well run-in to lead last 100 yards
soon led and disputed, bad mistake 11th, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, pecked 1st, some progress and mistake 3 out, ridden in 13th 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, progress into 5th 5 out, ridden in 8th and mistake 2 out, no impression before last, left 6th last, kept on same pace run-in
always rear, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, slight mistake 9th, progress into 8th when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, mistake next and weakened
chased leaders, prominent from 7th, 3rd halfway, 2nd from 11th, ridden in 4th entering straight, under pressure in 6th when brought down last
held up towards rear early, progress to chase leaders at 7th, 7th halfway, closer in 4th at 11th, ridden 3 out, disputed entering straight, headed last, under pressure in 5th run-in, drifted left and kept on closing stages to 3rd close home
chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden towards rear 6 out, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 10th
chased leaders and prominent early, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened 4 out
chased leaders and prominent early, 4th halfway, mistake and lost place 5 out, ridden in 16th 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from last
held up towards rear, ridden into 10th 2 out, stayed on in 8th before last, left 5th last, kept on same pace run-in, no extra closing stages
led and disputed, slight mistakes 7th, 11th and 5 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra before last
This is always one of the toughest races of the season to evaluate and only one favourite has won in 10 years amongst a host of 33/1 and 20/1 chances. Gilgamboa is a Grade 1 winner and certain to attract good support as he ran well for a long way on his reappearance behind Djakadam in the John Durkan. Gallant Oscar is a very smart staying chaser on his day as he showed when comfortably landing a very tough Punchestown handicap in May for which he's been raised a massive 13lb. Last year's Fulke Walwyn winner Spring Heeled hasn't quite recaptured that sort of form but can't be ruled out while Minella Foru ran another fine race when chasing home Nearly Nama'd at Fairyhouse over a trip too short. Sumos Novios hasn't had much racing so his victory over 2m6f on very heavy going at Punchestown was a superb effort. The runner-up that day, Empire Of Dirt, has a chance of reversing the form at the weights while National Hunt Chase winner Cause Of Causes is always to be feared in these races. ROSSVOS landed a handicap at Punchestown last month before a very impressive victory over hurdles at Navan. He'll love the conditions and, still on an attractive mark, is given the nod to complete a hat-trick.
Gilgamboa (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 7th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression entering straight, stayed on into 4th last, kept on run-in to go 3rd, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Djakadam (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Gallant Oscar (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Rear of mid-division, good headway from 5 out, went 4th travelling well next, next, improved to lead after 2 out and soon pushed clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp sft in May beating Archie Meade (9-10) by 9l, 19 ran.
Grand Jesture (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Refused to race and took no part, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Spring Heeled (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 12th, jumped slowly and lost place 14th, some headway 2 out, no impression, 8th of 17, 8 1/2l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 14-1 (10-9) Behind, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden next, kept on, never reached leaders, 8th of 39, 27 1/4l behind Many Clouds (11-9) at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
My Murphy (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, progress to dispute 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind Fine Rightly (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Operating (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd when pecked badly 7th, slight mistake in rear next and reminders, no impression approaching straight, no extra from 3 out, last of 5, 35l behind Smashing (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Ballychorus (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, slight mistake 9th, 6th halfway, ridden 3 out, stayed on to lead 2 out, strongly pressed when fell last, at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov.
Los Amigos (IRE) 8-1fav (10-8) Prominent early, tracked leaders, 8th halfway, mistake 6 out, no extra after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Captain Von Trappe (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, disputed from 4th, led again 7th, disputed from 5 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, weakened, 6th of 7, 37 1/2l behind No More Heroes (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
The Job Is Right 15-2fav (11-4) Prominent, ridden after 4 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 16, 8 1/2l behind Rons Dream (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Ucello Conti (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 8th next, kept on one pace run-in, 6th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Fine Rightly (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Urano (FR) 22-1 (10-3) Towards rear, some progress before 4 out, never reached leaders and weakened after next, 11th of 15, dist behind Smad Place (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Cantlow (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Towards rear, plugged on run-in, never involved, 5th of 15, 10 3/4l behind Pendra (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Minella Foru (IRE) 4-1fav (10-8) Slight mistake 1st and bumped, soon mid-division, slightly impeded 2nd, improved to be close up 4 out and slight mistake, 4th before straight, chased winner last, kept on without matching winner run-in,, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Nearly Nama'd (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Dogora (FR) 15-2 (10-7) In touch, hit 10th, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, hampered on bend after, 4th when mistake and unseated rider last, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Heathfield (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, ridden 7th, no extra and weakened before straight, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Falcon Crest (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Dromnea (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led and disputed early, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 11th, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, left 5th at last, 5th of 12, 28 3/4l behind Riverside City (9-13) at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov.
Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division early, improved to chase leaders at 4th, led and disputed from 6th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sumos Novios (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hvy in Dec.
Rossvoss 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead after 3 out, drew clear after 2 out and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Bentelimar (11-10) by 18l, 14 ran.
Sumos Novios (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, led and disputed from before 3rd, led and ridden 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hvy in Dec beating Empire Of Dirt (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leader on outer, 4th after 4th, 2nd after 6th, narrow lead 7 out, 2nd 4 out, dropped to 5th and ridden after 3 out, 6th 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Grand Jesture (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Perfect Promise (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 5 out and dropped to rear before next, pushed along and no impression in 3rd approaching straight, weakened, 3rd of 4, dist behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Carriganog (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, detached from 6th, no extra from 3 out,, 11th of 16, dist behind Nearly Nama'd (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Dushrembrandt (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th halfway, no extra 4 out and moderate 7th approaching straight, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Mount Colah (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Nov.
Futuramic (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slightly slow 1st, mistake 11th, no impression in 5th before straight, one pace, 5th of 17, 36l behind Outlander (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Riverside City (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 1st, progress into 6th 4 out, left 4th 3 out, ridden to challenge before 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, stayed on to challenge last and left in lead, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov beating Georges Conn (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Knockanarrigan (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Mid-division early, slight mistake 2nd, closer from 8th, slight mistake 10th, 5th halfway, ridden 3 out when hampered and unseated rider, at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov.
Jacksonslady (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, impeded 4th, not fluent 8th, 5th at 9th, no impression in 5th from before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 16, 4 1/4l behind Sadler's Risk (11-6) at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Daring Article (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, pushed along from 3 out, 7th before straight, soon no impression, 7th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Rossvoss (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Jansboy 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pecked and ridden 3 out, under pressure in 7th entering straight, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Flemenstorm (9-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
