chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, completely tailed off
waited with, fell heavily 6 out (usual 7 out), dead
waited with, closed 5 out, tracked leaders next, 3rd 3 out, challenged from before straight, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong
waited with, closed to chase leaders from 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
chased leaders, not fluent 2 out, closed and on terms before straight, soon led, stayed on well to draw clear inside final furlong
waited with, good headway to track leaders on outer before straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, 2nd for much, lost place a bit after last, 2nd again and chased winner final furlong, soon no impression, kept on
soon close and led, clear for much, not always fluent jumping, reduced lead 2 out and headed from last, no extra from over 1f out
This looks wide-open but Four Commanders has a touch of quality about him and would take some beating if anywhere near his best, though he was struggling when unseating his rider on his reappearance at Limerick a couple of weeks ago. Placed in a Grade 2 at Navan and the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, he started favourite for the Irish National but ran poorly and he'll need to show a return to form to get involved. Gordon Elliott has done well with ROMANESCO since acquiring him from the UK and the seven-year-old is unlucky not to be on a four-timer. He makes a quick reappearance with a 4lb penalty after Friday's victory in a very strong contest at Fakenham and would have won at Cheltenham on his previous start had he not fallen at the last. He looks the one to be on though there are plenty of dangers including the very consistent Miss Pepperpot and the bottom pair Bangonform and Good Luck Chuck, who arrive in very good shape and make this an interesting event.
Mr Cracker (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed after 8 out, slow 7 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Raz De Maree (10-4) at Limerick 3m hcp chs sft, 14 ran.
Four Commanders (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, no impression in 11th 3 out, unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Raz De Maree (10-4) at Limerick 3m hcp chs sft, 14 ran.
King Ali (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Raced towards outer, prominent from before 9th, moderate 4th approaching 4 out where left closer 3rd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, mistake 2 out, 5th of 18, 13l behind Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep.
The Hard Hat (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 22, 12l behind Seabass (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch in Jan.
Selection Box (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, 8th of 11, 23l behind Pride Of The Artic (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f chs sft in Jul.
Miss Pepperpot (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Always prominent, led or disputed lead from 4th, strongly pressed approaching last, headed early run-in and soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Caduceus (10-2) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 sft in May.
Zardsky (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, trailing 7 out, soon no impression, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Carlito Brigante (11-4) at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gd in May.
Good Luck Chuck (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from last and no impression winner, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Orpheus Valley (11-3) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs hvy.
Romanesco (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway on inside after 12th, went 2nd from 3 out, led 2 out, in command when not fluent last, pushed out, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs beating Alpine Breeze (10-1) by 4l, 14 ran.
Bangonform (IRE) 7-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 5 out and travelled best to lead approaching 2 out, soon asserted and stretched clear before last, stayed on well, easily, won at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 sft beating Bachelor Affair (11-2) by 8l, 12 ran.
