soon led, headed when fell 4 out
towards rear, hampered 4 out, closer in 7th 3 out, ridden and headway into 3rd and not fluent 2 out, 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th before next, went 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner in 2nd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led 4 out, went clear 2 out, pushed out and stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably
rear of mid-division, fell 4 out
disputed lead early, headed 2nd, 3rd 5 out, brought down next
mid-division on inner, bad mistake 5th, pushed along in 5th and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, 9th 5 out, ridden in 6th after 3 out, no impression
mid-division, 8th 5 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no impression
towards rear, fell 3rd
always towards rear, niggled along after 5 out, badly hampered next, no impression
towards rear, pushed along early, trailing when pulled up after 5th
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, mistake 8th, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd at last, no extra run-in
Rebecca Curtis sent out Irish Cavalier to win this last year and he's only 2lb higher. He landed the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in October and has been racing mostly at the highest level subsequently so a repeat can't be ruled out. He's accompanied by stable companion Vintage Vinnie, who also looks reasonably treated on his victory in a Market Rasen Listed contest last summer, while Colin Tizzard is also doubly represented with Sizing Granite and Viconte Du Noyer with preference for the former, a Grade 1 winner for Henry De Bromhead in his younger days. It's difficult to know what to make of POLIDAM, five times a winner in France and having his first start for Willie Mullins after being bought for £145,000 in December. He starts off on a mark of 137 which could be underestimating his ability and he can make a successful debut for the yard. Rightdownthemiddle ran his best race to date behind Sizing Codelco at Aintree and, though beaten a long way, today's shorter trip should suit him
Devils Bride (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, 6th halfway, rear from 7th, no impression before 3 out, weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Ballycasey (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Mid-division, chased leaders 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and one pace after last, weakened approaching elbow, 11th of 29, 30l behind Ultragold (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Viconte Du Noyer (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, blundered 11th, well beaten when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) In touch on outside, pushed along and outpaced soon after 3 out, no threat after, 5th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Valhalla (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Jetstream Jack (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace run-in, just held 3rd at line, 3rd of 9, 12 1/2l behind Mick The Jiver (10-1) at Navan 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
Mr Diablo (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) In touch, dropped to mid-division 8th, driven to chase leaders after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden after last, weakened flat, 15th of 29, 37 1/2l behind Ultragold (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Polidam (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Lachlan Bridge (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 5f lst sft in Nov.
Draycott Place (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led, joined before 3rd, narrowly headed after 3 out, no impression approaching next, soon no extra in 4th, 4th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Adreamstillalive (10-1) at Limerick 2m hcp sft in Mar.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 12th (canal turn), ridden and outpaced in 4th before omitted 2 out, lost place last, kept on same pace, 7th of 29, 16 1/4l behind Ultragold (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Rear division, headway before 6 out, went 3rd from 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Sizing Codelco (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Akito (FR) 25-1 (11-10) In rear, left 4th after 9th, 3rd after 4 out, pushed along before 2 out where left in lead, kept on well, fortunate, won at Tramore 2m 5f Yielding in Apr beating Stone Hard (11-10) by 8l, 5 ran.
Vent De La Cote (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up, closer in 8th from 5th, slight mistake 7th, progress from before 4 out, soon tracked leaders, chased winner 2 out, no impression disputing 2nd when not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 17, 16 1/2l behind Stoughan Cross (9-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Apr.
Winter Magic (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leader, slight mistake 3rd, no impression and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 14 1/4l behind Val De Ferbet (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Peoples Park (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, rear and ridden 8th, soon no extra, pulled up before 3 out, at Naas 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
