led, not fluent jumping, headed 11th, led again 4 out, bad mistake next and dropped to 3rd, soon pushed along in 3rd, went close 2nd when left with clear lead 2 out, pushed along before last, not fluent at last, ridden and stayed on under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, 4th and mistake 11th, close 3rd and mistake 4 out, pushed along, left 2nd 3 out, ridden entering straight, dropped to 4th and left 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, last briefly at 11th, closer 5th 4 out, ridden after next, 4th entering straight, went 3rd when mistake and left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on one pace
held up in touch in rear, slight mistake 10th, pushed along next, no impression from 4 out, moderate 5th when left 4th 2 out, hands and heels run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 4th, 3rd at 8th, 4th 5 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out
held up in touch in 5th early, headway into 2nd at 8th, led 11th, headed 4 out, left in front 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, 0.5L lead and pressed but with every chance when fell 2 out
CAREFULLY SELECTED looks a cracking prospect and is the ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. A very smart bumper and hurdler, he demolished a decent field in a Punchestown Grade 3 a fortnight ago and will take some beating. Ronal Pump receives 6lb and is on the upgrade despite having had plenty of experience. A winner over fences at Fairyhouse in November, he ran a fine race over timber at Leopardstown last month and looks next best. Elwood stayed on strongly to scored over 2m4f at Thurles so will be suited by the extra while Forza Milan ran his best race to date over fences at Fairyhouse though will need much more against these.
Carefully Selected (IRE) 4-7fav (11-1) Made all, went on before 5th, slight mistake 6th, reduced lead approaching 2 out, went on again approaching last where left further clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan beating City Island (11-1) by 24l, 6 ran.
Elwood (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 8th, hampered and left 4th 2 out, pushed along and headway approaching last where slight mistake, ridden and led run-in, kept on well, won at Thurles 2m 4f Yielding in Jan beating Mormon (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Forza Milan (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, improved to lead 4 out, joined next, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed after 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Castlebawn West (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Jan.
Ronald Pump 9-1 (11-10) Waited with, 19th from 5th, headway 5 out, chased leaders and not much room straight, switched right approaching last, kept on well run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 25, 1l behind Treacysenniscorthy (9-12) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Small Farm (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led and clear, mistake 3rd, jumped left at 6th, reduced advantage 4 out, joined and with every chance when fell 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Spyglass Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 4th at last (usual 3 out), went 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, no impression on winner 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 5 1/2l behind Bapaume (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f sft in Dec.
