chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to dispute approaching last, narrow lead final 150 yards, kept on well to assert close home
led, narrowly headed 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, keen hold early, 4th halfway, good jump to take narrow lead 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden and joined approaching last, headed final 150 yards, no extra close home
soon prominent, pressed leader at times, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, pulled up before last
held up, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th after 2 out, disputed 3rd early straight, under pressure in 4th before last where fell
slight mistake 1st, soon rear, trailing halfway, never a factor
held up towards rear, progress to dispute 3rd entering straight, ridden in 3rd approaching last, no impression on leaders run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge on inner 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last
Simply Ned has been a surprise winner of this for the past two seasons, beating well-fancied runners from the Willie Mullins yard on both occasions. He's taking exactly the same route this time around and another shock is by no means out of the question. However, there will be some long faces in County Carlow if CHACUN POUR SOI is beaten as he's considered the rising star of the yard following his victory over Defi Du Seuil in the Ryanair at Punchestown in May and the latter's subsequent exploits at the highest level have given the form an almighty boost. The champion trainer also runs Cadmium, who ended last season winning the Topham at Aintree in great style, and Great Field, who has never fulfilled his potential due to jumping problems but led for a long way before falling at the last in this a year ago. A Plus Tard, who won a Cheltenham Festival handicap by 16 lengths in March, probably just needed his comeback at Navan and is expected to do better as is Hardline, well beaten in the latter event but not beaten far by Min in the John Durkan earlier this month
A Plus Tard (FR) 5-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, 3rd 4 out, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd and ridden after 2 out, pressed winner before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Ballyoisin (11-10) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Cadmium (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Led 2nd, made rest, went right 13th (valentines), drew clear before last, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr beating Sub Lieutenant (11-5) by 6l, 27 ran.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Waited with, slightly impeded 3rd, soon closed travelling smoothly, slight mistake 4 out, on terms after 3 out, led before 2 out where slight mistake, asserted and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) gf in May beating Defi Du Seuil (11-10) by 4 1/4l, 7 ran.
Great Field (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, mistake 6th, 4 lengths off leading pair when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Hardline (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Waited with, 7th at 4th, closed up into 2nd approaching straight, led after 2 out, headed before last where slight mistake, one pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Jetz (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th after 5th, moderate 3rd approaching 4 out, much closer order when fell 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Ordinary World (IRE) 1-2fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 7th, rapid headway to lead before 3 out, went clear before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 3f gd in Sep beating Cloudy Morning (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Simply Ned (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Close up in rear, smooth headway on outside on long run before 2 out, every chance last, ridden and unable to quicken flat, just got better of duel for 3rd near finish, 3rd of 4, 6 1/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
