mid-division, ridden 10th, soon lost place and beaten
tracked leaders, stumbled and unseated rider on the paddock bend after 8th
prominent, ridden and led approaching 4 out, kept on until headed post
tracked leaders, lost place 10th, behind and pulled up 4 out
led, blundered 1st, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out and pulled up before next
mid-division, hit 7th and 12th, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out and soon one pace
mid-division, tracked leaders 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, staying on and every chance last, driven and kept on to lead post
always behind, lost touch 9th
always behind, lost touch 11th, tailed off when fell 4 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 12th, ridden 4 out and weakened from 2 out
Sports Express has as good a chance as any in this contest and may come home ahead of Irish raiders Duke Of Stradone and Supreme Being. The selection stays further but has run well enough over this course and distance in the past for the trip not to be a concern and has been running consistently this season. Galero has one of the highest BHA ratings in the field but has plenty to prove on recent form as does Star Fever. Duke Of Stradone ran a fair race at Thurles before Christmas and may be able to make his presence felt in this company whilst Supreme Being will relish the drop in grade having struggled to land a blow in a competitive qualifier over hurdles for the Cheltenham Festival at Leopardstown. It's been a while since he's jumped a fence but he has got a win over fences under his belt. Hard to be confident but for the winner we'll return to Sports Express.
Try Catch Paddy (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Led, pushed along last, ridden and headed over 1f outm kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Waking Ned (11-9) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (6) hvy in Mar.
Man Of Repute 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place 6 out, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up 5 out in race won by Spring Charm (11-2) at Bellewstown 3m hcp hdl 0-109 gs in Jul, 16 ran.
Galero 14-1 (11-10) Led, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Flake (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Star Fever (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, well behind Rightful Ruler (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m ldy hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Duke Of Stradone (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Prominent, led before 3rd, headed before 5 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 13, 12l behind Sportivo (10-6) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 gs in Dec.
Supreme Being (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, 15th of 23, 28l behind Footy Facts (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Jan.
The Nomad 4-1 (11-6) Prominent, led 11th until headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden and gradually weakened, 4th of 7, 27l behind Johnny Roche (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Deja Vu (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced when hampered 8th, soon lost place, behind and pulled up before 10th pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ballynure (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Categorical 12-1 (10-7) Behind, outpaced approaching 9th, no impression from next, 4th of 12, well behind Wee Forbees (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
High Moon (USA) 100-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden approaching 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by McGruders Cross (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Rucolino (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Held up, headway after 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Sports Express 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 14th, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Mister Jungle (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
