held up towards rear, closer in 7th entering straight, ridden in close 5th 2 out, under pressure in 4th last, no extra run-in and kept on one pace
led and disputed early, dropped to 4th halfway, mid-division before 9th, pushed along 4 out, 6th entering straight, under pressure 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on into 2nd run-in, no impression on winner closing stages
mainly mid-division, ridden and no extra 4 out, soon dropped towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, towards rear next, soon weakened
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place 6 out, rear next, weakened
led and disputed, led before 2 out where slight mistake, soon ridden, kept on well from last
mid-division early, chased leaders from before 7th, close up in 2nd halfway, disputed 5 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, kept on under pressure, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
always towards rear, mistake 6th, ridden 5 out, no impression 3 out, weakened next
towards rear early, mid-division from 4th, progress into 4th 5 out, ridden entering straight, close 4th 2 out, no impression before last, weakened and eased run-in
mainly mid-division, closer in 5th before 6 out, challenged 5 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, closer 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in
chased leaders, lost place briefly halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, closer under pressure 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
slowly away and lost ground, closed up before 3rd, rear and pulled up after 9th
Gallant Oscar, winner of this in 2014, won a strong handicap over fences last May but has a big weight to carry in testing conditions. Bothair Clei was just beaten in this last year and Gordon Elliott runs Captain Von Trappe and Nickname Exit with the latter looking the more likely winner of the pair. He won over hurdles at Navan last month but beat the in-form Sunsetstorise very easily over the bigger obstacles at Navan in December. Venitien De Mai makes his handicap debut over fences and looked progressive when scoring at Down Royal from today's rival Futuramic. Forever Gold needs a thorough test of stamina and the conditions should bring out the best of the recent Leopardstown winner but a chance is taken on GOONYELLA, the easy winner of last season's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter and runner-up in the Scottish equivalent in April.
Gallant Oscar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, 5th halfway, 6th and not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression in 7th entering straight, no extra, 7th of 12, 33 1/4l behind Golan Lodge (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Goonyella (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, disputed from 3rd, headed 5 out, ridden in 3rd next, under pressure in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace straight, just held for 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 22 1/4l behind Positive Approach (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hvy in Jan.
Golden Wonder (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, pushed along in 7th entering straight and no threat from 2 out, no extra, 6th of 9, 33 1/2l behind Not For Burning (10-8) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hvy in Jan.
Captain Von Trappe (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th from 5th, under pressure in 4th before straight, no impression approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Marlbrook (11-3) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Nickname Exit (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, challenged entering straight, led 3 out, ridden before next where pressed, kept on well from before last, won at Navan 2m 6f hcp hvy in Feb beating Owennacurra Milan (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Venitien De Mai (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress 4 out and led after next, ridden approaching last, asserted early run-in and kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Feb beating Futuramic (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Futuramic (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, pressed 3 out and soon headed, ridden approaching last, under pressure and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Venitien De Mai (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
Bothair Clei (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear approaching 3 out, no extra, 5th of 6, 26l behind Sonny B (10-8) at Thurles 3m hcp sft in Feb.
Ad Idem 8-1 (10-5) Soon chased leaders, 7th from 8th, not fluent 9th, closed up travelling smoothly from before straight, mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Forever Gold (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp hvy in Dec beating Russian Bill (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
Ibetellingyoualie (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd early, pushed along approaching straight and in touch but towards rear, chased leaders 2 out, left 3rd from last, no extra and one pace closing stages, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Toushan (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Art Lord (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Reluctant to start, virtually refused to race, pulled up before 1st, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Kylecrue (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 6th 5 out, ridden in 3rd again 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Colms Dream (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp sft in Feb.
