tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along and dropped towards rear 3 out, no extra after next, kept on one pace
led, pushed along and strongly pressed approaching last, headed early run-in, no impression and kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, some headway on outer approaching 3 out, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, mistakes 1st and 2nd, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, pushed along in 3rd after 2 out, headway to challenge when slight mistake last, soon led and kept on well run-in
mid-division, dropped to rear before 2 out, no extra and weakened, completely tailed off
held up in rear, some headway 2 out, no impression in 5th approaching last, no extra and kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, no extra after 2 out, weakened
towards rear, some headway 3 out and went 4th after next, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
Several of these return after long breaks including Whatever Jacksays, whose last run was a 20-length victory in a Grade 3 back in 2012. Lean Araig was last spotted completing a hat-trick in a Naas Grade 2 almost three years ago but it's another long-time absentee, KILLULTAGH VIC, who looks the one to beat. A Cheltenham winner in 2015, he followed that by beating Thistlecrack in a Grade 1 here then completed a double over fences. In the hope that he's ready for this, he can outclass these before heading back to the bigger obstacles. Joseph O'Brien has two entries with Barry Geraghty choosing Tigris River over Ivanovich Gorbatov, which is hardly surprising as he was on board when his mount won the Galway Hurdle. His stable companion, who beat Apple's Jade in last year's Triumph Hurdle, hasn't improved as expected but Ex Patriot certainly has and makes a quick reappearance after scoring at Limerick on Tuesday.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leader in close 2nd, improved to lead 6 out, headed and dropped to 2nd before 3 out, regained lead before next and went on before last where not fluent, kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Discorama (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tigris River (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th early, 6th 4 out, not fluent 3 out, one pace 2 out, 11th of 20, 15 3/4l behind Davids Charm (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Diamond King (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Disputed lead, headed at 6th, ridden in 3rd 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 6, 36l behind Sandymount Duke (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f gd in May.
Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Raced in 18th early, slight mistake 4th, no extra and eased from before last, last of 20, dist behind Davids Charm (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 2-7fav (11-5) Led, 6 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage 2 out, travelled well and 4 lengths clear when sprawled badly on landing last, rider lost iron and dropped to 3rd, stayed on well run-in to lead again close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 3f (1) sft in Jan beating Blair Perrone (11-5) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Lean Araig (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led, wandered before 1st and joined, wandered before 2nd and on bend away from stands where reminder, not fluent 3rd, slight mistake 5th, led before straight, joined 2 out, narrowly headed run-in, led again closing stages, stayed on best, won at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Modem (11-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, effort to chase winner between last 2, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no extra in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Bags Groove (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Whatever Jacksays (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) Made all, clear before straight, shaken up briefly to extend advantage after 2 out, very easily, won at Tipperary 2m (1) hvy in Oct beating Passage Vendome (11-5) by 20l, 6 ran.
Jennys Melody (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden after 4 out, no impression, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Knight Of Noir (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
