tracked leaders, not fluent at 10th and pushed along, ridden next, soon weakened
always in rear, off pace early, ridden at 9th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead at 4th, led next, headed 4 out, 2nd and mistake next, ridden and weakened from 2 out
held up in 6th, 5th 4 out, close 4th 2 out, ridden entering straight, improved to lead narrowly approaching last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, not fluent at 5th, went 2nd at 13th, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon 4th, no impression straight
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, mistake 12th, slight mistake 13th and dropped to 3rd, improved to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly before last, slight mistake at last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
held up in rear, last and niggled briefly after 7th, good headway 3 out, improved to dispute lead on inner and slight mistake 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, 3rd at last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong
led, joined 4th, headed 5th, dropped to 4th and mistake 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression straight
Bellshill beat just three rivals in this last year but hasn't been in that kind of form subsequently. He could only finish seventh in the Grade 1 Savill's Chase here in December, a race won by Delta Work with KEMBOY in fourth, Presenting Percy close up fifth, with Jett and Anibale Fly well beaten. The early pace was slow in the race and most of the field were there with a chance turning for home but this is much more likely to turn into a slog and the selection, so impressive at Aintree and Punchestown last year, can come out on top this time. Chris's Dream was well beaten behind Delta Work in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in April but won the Troytown Handicap on his reappearance while UK challenger La Bague Au Roi, who won the Grade 1 Floggas at this meeting a year ago, hasn't replicated that performance this campaign.
Anibale Fly (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders early, a little slow at 5th, 5th from 7th, pushed along from 4 out in rear, no extra from before last, weakened, last of 8, dist behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Bellshill (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, 3rd from 7th, soon 4th, pushed along from 2 out, dropped to 7th before last, no extra and one pace after, 7th of 8, 23 3/4l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Cadmium (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind A Plus Tard (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Delta Work (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, a little slow at 6th, 6th from 7th, slight mistake 4 out, 5th at last, effort and edged left run-in, gained narrow lead closing stages, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Monalee (11-10) by hd, 8 ran.
Jett (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th from 7th, soon closed up, on terms from 8th, soon headed, slight mistake 11th, on terms again after 2 out, led approaching straight, soon joined, headed before last, no extra and one pace after, 6th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Kemboy (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Soon led and a little keen, not fluent 1st and 2nd, headed 3rd, prominent, not fluent 9th, pushed along approaching straight, challenged from before last, kept on without matching principals closing stages, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Presenting Percy 7-2 (11-10) Waited with towards rear, closed and not much room straight, soon switched right, 6th at last, effort run-in, kept on without matching principals closing stages, 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Led, hit 4 out, joined and hit next, battled on gamely from last, headed final 150 yards, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Lady Buttons (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) gs in Dec.
Chris's Dream (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Mid-division early, 9th before 8th and headway, closed up travelling smoothly straight, led before 2 out, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov beating Fitzhenry (10-9) by 9 1/2l, 23 ran.
