tracked leaders, closed up to lead briefly 3 out, waited with in 2nd until challenged and disputed 2 out, led going well approaching last, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, all out
waited with towards rear, improved to chase leaders from before 7 out, plenty to do when mistake 5 out, moderate 4th before next, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, jumped right and mistake 3rd, lost place quickly from 10th and pulled up before next
soon mid-division, moderate 5th approaching 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, attempted to assert before straight, joined 2 out, headed approaching last where dropped to 3rd and pecked, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
soon led, clear at stages, slow jump 7th, headed approaching 4 out, struggling in 3rd before straight, went 2nd under pressure last, every chance run-in, kept on same pace close home
always towards rear, pulled up before 7 out
mid-division, moderate 7th 6 out, soon no impression, tailed off
mid-division, moderate 4th approaching 7 out, no extra approaching 4 out, tailed off
always behind, completely tailed off
chased leaders, moderate 7th approaching 7 out, no extra and pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders, lost place approaching 7 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
THE TOTHER ONE, runner-up to Nacarat in the 2010 Charlie Hall, was having his first start since last year's Grand National when runner-up at Dromahane in November and should be good enough here in receipt of 7lb from Merchant Royal. Dermot Weld's charge has plenty of scope and is likely to be seen in the major hunter-chase events in the spring though he faces a slightly stiffer task here than his previous runs in this grade. He wasn't at his best when pulled up behind Salsify at Punchestown in May but Rodger Sweeney's charge is a cracking performer in this grade and arrives here fit enough after a run between the flags on New Year's Eve. Count Salazar looked a nice prospect in this sphere when landing a maiden at Limerick and wasn't far behind Salsify on his racecourse debut at Lisronagh just over a year ago.
Merchant Royal (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Slight mistake 1st, always prominent, on terms 5 out, soon led, joined approaching last where pecked, stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Wexford 2m 6f hnt chs sft in Nov beating Twin Joy (11-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Salsify (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Ww in rr, rapid prog to ldrs aftr 4out, went on easily last, wknd qckly late, no ex close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Footy Facts (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec.
Count Salazar (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Always prominent, on terms 7th, definite leader 5 out, jumped right and nodded on landing 2 out, jumped right again last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 6f hts chs hvy in Dec beating Spiker The Biker (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Not Before Eight (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, headway in 8th 4 out, ridden into close 3rd 2 out, 2nd last, strongly pressed leader run-in, just failed, 2nd of 18, ns behind Carsonstown Boy (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec.
Rudi Trucker (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Pr, went on 5out, jnd aftr 3out, no ex late, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Footy Facts (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec.
Viking Splash (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Prominent, 2nd halfway, pushed along 4 out, ridden in close 3rd and wandered 3 out, under pressure in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec.
Zest For Life (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) Ld/disp, ld from 8th until fell 18th, in a race won by Bringbackthebert (12-0) at Athlacca 3m ire ptp gd in May, 15 ran.
Balaic Storm (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, 44l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec.
Fort View Wings (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and no impression before 3 out, 9th of 18, 27l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec.
Gold Ducat (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Alw pr, ld 4out, row from 2out, chall bef last, ko best, won at Lingstown 3m ire ptp gs in Dec beating Bunnenaugh (12-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Makloud (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 13th of 18, 49l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec.
Rattle 'n' Roll (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Trkd ldr in 2nd until lft in front 6out, jnd 2out, sow from last to ld nr fin, won at Ballindenisk 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
The Tother One (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, fell 6th (becher's brook), in a race won by Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
