chased leaders early, soon mid-division, dropped towards rear 4th and soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
reminders 1st and led, ridden and headed after 4 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, moderate 8th halfway, ridden and no extra before 4 out
always towards rear and behind, weakened from 5 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, improved to lead after 4 out, travelled well entering straight, ran around slightly approaching last, ridden run-in, kept on well
chased leaders, mistake 5th, 7th halfway, dropped off leaders before 4 out, soon no impression
always towards rear and behind, weakened from 5 out
soon chased leader in 2nd, mistake 3rd, ridden in 4th 5 out, no extra in 5th 4 out, weakened
mid-division, moderate 9th halfway, 6th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
always towards rear and behind, no impression from 5 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 5 out, 2nd 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear and behind, weakened from 5 out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd 2 out, no impression leader before last, kept on run-in without reaching winner
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th after 5 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace
This is usually a strong contest and was won by Sizing Europe in 2009 and Arvika Ligeonniaire last year. This renewal promises to be just as intriguing with the chasing debut of FELIX YONGER a highlight. Willie Mullins' charge, runner-up to Simonsig in last year's Neptune Investment Hurdle at Cheltenham, hasn't been seen since the following month's Festival here and his debut over fences has been long awaited. Sizing Rio is another possible star over the bigger obstacles as he's won a Grade 3 over timber despite always looking like a chaser. Pageboy is a rare jumper for David Wachman and the son of Galileo has some fine form over timber while the likes of Golanbrook, Best Served Cold and White Star Line already have experience over fences without having the scope of the newcomers.
Baily Dusk (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, no extra from 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Kyle's Turn (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Best Served Cold 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden along in 4th 4 out, no impression before straight, kept on one paced, 4th of 14, 21l behind Mart Lane (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase gs in Apr.
Black Benny (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway into 9th entering straight and went 5th 2 out, soon no impression in 4th and no threat to leaders approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 17, 23l behind Brian Who (9-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 in Apr.
Datokepe (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 2nd briefly approaching 3 out, ridden and dropped to 7th entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 7th of 17, 32l behind Brian Who (9-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 in Apr.
Dr Linzi (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Disputed early and prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 7 out, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 8th of 12, 35l behind Toostrong (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chase gd in Apr.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Settled on inner, 7th halfway, mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra in 5th from before last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Dedigout (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr '12.
Finea (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression from 4 out, behind straight, 8th of 14, well behind Mart Lane (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase gs in Apr.
Gaire Geal (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always behind, last of 18, well behind Minella Humour (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f N H flat gf in Jun '11.
Golanbrook (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden from early, tailed off from 3 out, 17th of 22, well behind The Paparrazi Kid (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Apr.
Heaney (IRE) 4-1fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, 3rd of 20, 4 1/2l behind Action Master (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Jamies Benefit (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Soon led, headed 7th, close up before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, 18th of 24, 42l behind Followmeuptocarlow (10-2) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gs in Apr.
Operating (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, moderate 5th halfway, ridden from 4 out, remote 5th after 3 out, went remote 4th from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 28l behind Mala Beach (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Mar.
Urhavinalaugh (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 16, well behind Tillahow (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs in Nov.
White Star Line (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, steady headway 4 out, tracked leading pair next, outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 24, 12l behind Golden Chieftain (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Pageboy (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along in 8th after 3 out, no impression early straight and moderate 6th last, kept on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Fosters Cross (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl gs in Mar.
Drop Anchor (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Bondage (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Sizing Rio (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Settled in 3rd, ridden from 2 out and no impression approaching last, no extra run-in, last of 3, 12l behind Un Atout (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
