soon rear of mid-division, stumbled after 3rd, tight for room on inner approaching 2 out and headway, closed approaching straight still travelling smoothly, disputed 4th at last, challenged run-in, kept on same pace closing stages
rear of mid-division, no impression 6th, soon no danger
soon mid-division, not fluent 3 out, no impression straight, one pace
rear of mid-division, short of room briefly after 3rd, headway under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last
soon chased leaders, not fluent 5th, close up and not fluent 2 out, soon no extra
always prominent, slight mistake 4th, gained narrow lead before last and jumped slightly left, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, challenged straight, disputed 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, close up 2 out and slight mistake, challenged straight, no impression when not fluent last, one pace
soon rear of mid-division, headway under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last
soon mid-division, bad mistake and unseated rider 6th
rear of mid-division, headway under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last
towards rear, slightly impeded 1st, slightly impeded 6th, no extra from 2 out
soon mid-division, pushed along approaching 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, closed towards outer to be prominent when not fluent 2 out, no impression straight, one pace
towards rear, stumbled slightly approaching 4th, no impression from 2 out, one pace
soon mid-division, 11th approaching 3 out, kept on same pace straight
towards rear, slightly impeded 1st, impeded 6th, no impression approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next
soon mid-division, some headway on outer 5th, ridden to chase leaders towards outer into straight, disputed 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in
led, tended to jump left, joined and not fluent 2 out, soon headed, no extra
chased leaders, challenged and on terms last, led closing stages, stayed on well
soon mid-division, kept on same pace under pressure straight
soon tracked leaders, on terms 2 out, soon led, just headed last, no extra and one pace run-in
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, not fluent 5th, no impression from 2 out, soon no extra
towards rear, jumped right 1st, ridden to chase leaders on outer into straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders on inner, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
Nicky Henderson won this with Cool Macavity a year ago and though the seven-year-old doesn't arrive in the best of form he'll have been prepped for this by his astute handler and will make a bold bid to follow up. The Game Changer, who finished fourth, and Waxies Dargle, just behind in fifth, both look held but there numerous dangers. The former ran another big race behind Astre De La Cour and Fethard Player at Aintree and is generally thereabouts though the winner is still progressing and David Mullins' claim should enable him to get into the frame. The five-year-old Cliff House is another on the upgrade and would have a very good chance if the ground eases as would Mrs Mac Veale, who prefers further but will be staying on strongly at the finish. Some Article's only defeat in his last three came over a longer trip and he looked impressive at Fairyhouse though the one to take from that race is THE PLAN MAN (NAP). Tony Martin's charge was having his first start for six months that day and was making good headway when a mistake put paid to his chances. He'll have come on a bundle for the run and is handed the vote.
The Game Changer (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden run-in, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 21, 2l behind Astre De La Cour (10-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Western Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Soon towards rear, mistake 4th, mistake 3 out and soon ridden, no impression, 14th of 17, 27l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Astre De La Cour (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Chased leader, challenged 2 out, led last 100 yards, just held on, won at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd beating Fethard Player (10-13) by hd, 21 ran.
Fethard Player (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed last 100 yards, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 21, hd behind Astre De La Cour (10-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Lucky Bridle (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace straight, 11th of 17, 19l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Macnicholson (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 17th of 21, well behind Killultagh Vic (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f cond hcap hdle (2) sft in Mar.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Chased leader and close up, slight mistake 5th, ridden entering straight, challenged 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, 3rd run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Cliff House (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Raced off pace in 3rd, closer in 3rd at 4th, travelled well and on terms 2 out, narrow advantage at last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m hcp hdl hvy in Mar beating Daliyan (10-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Henry Higgins (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, ridden into 4th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on without reaching leaders run-in, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Phil's Magic (11-6) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) in Mar.
The Plan Man (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Mid-division, 8th entering straight, ridden into 4th 2 out and slight mistake, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 17, 6l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Waxies Dargle 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, outpaced 2 out, never near leaders, 14th of 24, 28l behind Wicklow Brave (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Cool Macavity (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 11l behind Cheltenian (10-13) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd.
Mr Diablo (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along straight and no impression in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 11l behind Sempre Medici (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
Indian Icon (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 10th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 17, 18l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Pink Coat 5-1fav (10-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 9th of 17, 18l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Viconte Du Noyer (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, 4th from 2nd, soon chasing leaders, disputing 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Blood Cotil (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Xsquared (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, no impression when slightly hampered and left 5th 2 out, no extra, 5th of 7, 13l behind Fethard Player (11-0) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl in Oct.
Jebril (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 6l behind Purple 'n Gold (10-2) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Mar.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Briefly tight for room early, soon mid-division, progress travelling smoothly to track winner before 2 out, pushed along approaching last, kept on same pace run-in,, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Misty Lady (9-5) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140.
Some Article (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 9th halfway, progress into 4th entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, ran on well run-in to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft beating Clondaw Warrior (10-0) by nk, 17 ran.
Morga (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, soon 7th, no impression from before straight, one pace, 7th of 16, 28l behind Princess Leya (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Rupert Lamb 8-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division inner, 13th halfway, 8th and not fluent 2 out, soon no extra, 10th of 18, 20l behind I Shot The Sheriff (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 sft.
Dysios (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 6 out, improved into 2nd after 3 out, ridden to press leader 2 out, under pressure in 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Ballyadam Approach (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov hcp chs, 10 ran.
Frontline (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Held up early, mid-division in 6th halfway, progress entering straight, 3rd 2 out, ridden before last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind A Grey Matter (11-0) at Naas 2m hcp hdl sft in Jan.
Pivot Bridge 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, progress into 7th 4 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, under pressure in 6th 2 out, left 5th and slight hampered last, kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 9l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Fruits Of Glory (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, ridden in 11th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace, 10th of 17, 18l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Chatham House Rule 16-1 (11-4) Prominent and led 1st, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon no extra, weakened, 7th of 9, 20l behind Buiseness Sivola (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Bashful Beauty (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Close up, not fluent 4th, 2nd from 3 out, no impression and slight mistake last, one pace run-in,, 4th of 8, 5l behind I Knew Well (11-7) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl 0-116 gd.
