mid-division on outer, pushed along briefly at 4th, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, went moderate 5th 5 out, ridden in moderate 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, no impression in moderate 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on in 2nd run-in
tracked leader in 2nd early, took keen hold, disputed lead from 3rd, led from 6th and quickly went well clear, travelling well and clear 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily
led, joined from 3rd, headed at 6th and soon well behind clear leader, mistake 12th, ridden and dropped to moderate 3rd 5 out, remote 5th 3 out, left 4th next, went remote 3rd before last, no impression
tracked leaders, moderate 5th before halfway, slight mistake 9th, progress into moderate 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression on winner entering straight, moderate 2nd when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
held up in rear, some progress from halfway, moderate 7th 5 out, no impression from next
held up in rear, bad mistake and unseated rider at 8th
tracked leaders, bad mistake at 7th, moderate 2nd at halfway, ridden and no impression on winner in moderate 2nd 3 out, moderate 4th and left 3rd 2 out, tired and pulled up before last
rear of mid-division, slight mistake at 5th, dropped to 6th 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up after 3 out
Salsify won this in 2011 and 2013, Balnaslow was the winner two year's ago and Caid Du Berlais scored last year. The latter disappointingly pulled up at Cheltenham but is much better than that and will make a bold bid to hold on to the trophy. Fenno's Storm, eight times a winner between the flags, has plenty of good form in hunter-chases and beat Stand Up And Fight 4l in a point at Kilfeacle in January though the latter has Derek O'Connor in the saddle. BURNING AMBITION was only beaten 2l by Top Wood in the Foxhunters' at Aintree, form which would be good enough for this, and he gets the nod though Ucello Conti, who pulled up that day, bounced back with a victory in a strong hunters' event at Fairyhouse.
Balnaslow (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Mid-division in touch, chased leaders 14th, driven after 3 out, never on terms, weakened last, tailed off, 9th of 27, dist behind Top Wood (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Burning Ambition (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Held up mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, went 2nd when not fluent last, led approaching elbow, soon ridden and no extra, headed inside final 75 yards, not quicken, 2nd of 27, 2l behind Top Wood (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Caid Du Berlais (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Towards rear of mid-division, struggling 13th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
Fenno's Storm (IRE) 1-4 (11-11) Ld, 1l adv 1/2way, mstk 14th, jnd bef 5out, still disp 2out, sl adv on outer last when b mstk & ur, at Lisronagh 4m gd in Mar.
It Came To Pass (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 7th after 6th, good headway to close 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly, won at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr beating Billaway (11-8) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
Macs Legend (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 5th after 6th, lost place before 4 out, under pressure after 4 out, ridden and stayed on after 2 out, kept on well run-in, no threat, 4th of 10, 11 1/2l behind It Came To Pass (11-4) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Salsify (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In rear, 8th after 6th, progress to 5th after 4 out, ridden and no impression in 6th after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 10, 23 1/2l behind It Came To Pass (11-4) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Stand Up And Fight (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Towards rear, mistake 10th, some headway under pressure after 4 out, plugged on same pace from next, never pace to get involved, 6th of 24, 26l behind Hazel Hill (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
Ucello Conti (FR) 7-2fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 13th, went 2nd from 9th, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, improved to lead after last, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Good - Yielding in Apr beating Sizing Coal (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
