made all, slight mistake 3 out, ridden to assert before last, slightly untidy last, kept on strongly run-in, easily
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to rear 6 out, slight mistake next, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra and weakened before next
held up in rear, reminders 4th, 4th from 6 out, ridden 3 out, no impression before next where fell heavily
settled behind leaders, slight mistake 6th, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 3 out, no extra in 3rd before next, weakened before last
Last year's Grand National hero Minella Times had been trained for another crack but didn't get far when brought down by a faller. The Shunter has been superbly placed to win some big prizes though looked out of sorts at Cheltenham last time while Daly Tiger was also well beaten at Cheltenham. The latter had finished last in a Grade 2 chase at Gowran previously won by MELON (NAP). Willie Mullins' charge has competed at Grade 1 level in 10 of his last 11 starts and, though having an 8lb penalty to carry, will find this a much easier task.
Melon 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Allaho (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Cusp Of Carabelli (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Waited with, slight mistake 5th, 16th after 7th, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out, 11th of 17, 31 1/4l behind Hewick (10-12) at Listowel 3m hcp gd in Sep.
Daly Tiger (FR) 80-1 (11-3) Never closer than mid-division, tailed off, 12th of 23, dist behind Commander Of Fleet (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Doctor Duffy (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Off the pace in last trio, hit 3rd and next, behind 9th, tailed off next, pulled up before the last, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Minella Times (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear when badly hampered and brought down 9th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Shunter (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Darrens Hope (IRE) 10-3 (10-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and no impression in 4th after 2 out, left moderate 3rd at last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 26 1/4l behind Dolcita (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f lst (1) Yielding in Apr.
