chased leaders, challenged from 26th, led on inside 2 out, headed, not quicken flat
prominent, led 23rd to 26th, soon weakened, lost place
mid-division, weakening when blundered 20th, pulled up before 22nd
towards rear, brief effort 20th, soon beaten
behind, steady headway 18th, mistake next, blundered badly 3 out, no chance after
always behind
mid-division, driven when blundered, weakened 27th
held up in rear, steady headway from 26th, chased leaders 3 out, upside last, led flat, driven out
mid-division, mistake, unseated rider after 14th
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
led 4th, headed 23rd, stayed handy, until weakened soon after 3 out
chased leaders, led 26th, ridden, headed 2 out, weakened before last
behind, when blundered, unseated rider 16th
mid-division, weakened 22nd, soon behind
chased leaders until steadily lost place from 18th
behind, steady headway from 18th, chased leaders from 3 out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd flat
Enda Bolger sets a poser by saddling three runners, and we nominate Good Step to emerge as best of the trio, with , Mrs Be, Native Jack and Never Compromise just a few more with claims. In the past the first name mentioned would undoubtedly have been Spot Thedifference, successful in four of his five tries over this unique course, including the first running of this very event 12 months ago. However, at the age of 13, time is beginning to catch up with him judged on a poor effort here in December followed by a lacklustre performance over hurdles last month. It is time now for a new star to emerge and who better than Enda Bolger to supply it in the shape of Good Step who has proved that he can get round here when third to Ivoire de Beaulieu in November. He is a real stayer, having won over an extended four miles at Punchestown last April, and has been sharpened up for this by three spins over hurdles. Last of the Bolger trio to mention is Buailtes And Fadas, the mount of Nina Carberry. This will be his first try at this unique contest, but he won the La Touche at Punchestown three years ago, so will not be phased by the obstacles barring his path, and he has been quietly backed over the past week. He was third behind Native Jack and Never Compromise in the first running of the P P Hogan Chase at Punchestown in February and will do well to reverse the form. Connections of Native Jack are looking for a big run from Philip Rothwell's charge now that he has proved that he can jump banks, and he too is sure to attract support. Mrs Be was third in this last year and will once again be ridden by Polly Gundry. All in all, it once again promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the vote going to Good Step.
Spot Thedifference (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid-division, driven along halfway, kept on same pace from 4 out, 6th of 19, 21l behind Native Jack (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs gs in Feb.
Lord Jack (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 4 out, 10th of 15, well behind Fair Question (11-1) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Colourful Life (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Always behind, blundered badly 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by A Glass In Thyne (10-12) at Southwell 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Just In Debt (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, closer order 22nd, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 16, 11l behind Ivoire De Beaulieu (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs 0-150 (B) gs in Dec.
Good Step (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Led and disputed early, 5th under pressure before 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 15l behind Drunken Disorderly (11-6) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl hvy in Feb.
Tribal Venture (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 11th, weakening when mistake 18th, hampered and refused at the last in race won by Joaaci (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Comanche War Paint (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) In touch, ridden from 23rd, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 36l behind Ivoire De Beaulieu (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs 0-150 (B) gs in Dec.
Native Jack (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, progress 6 out, challenging when slight mistake 2 out, soon led, ridden clear before last, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs gs in Feb beating Never Compromise (11-4) by 7l, 19 ran.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, mistake 6th, fell at the 14th in race won by Yardbird (11-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Il de Boitron (FR) 14-1 (11-4) 3rd early, 6th 4 out, soon weakened, 14th of 19, well behind Native Jack (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs gs in Feb.
Koquelicot (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Prominent, reminder after 11th, ridden 13th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Sonevafushi (12-5) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Never Compromise (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always prominent, left 2nd at 12th, challenged 3 out, 3rd and ridden next, moderate 2nd last, kept on, 2nd of 19, 7l behind Native Jack (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs gs in Feb.
What Odds (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, 4th 6 out, weakened next, 10th of 17, 20l behind Kings Glen (10-5) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp chs gs in Feb.
Whereareyounow (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Prominent, mistake 10th, ridden after 11th, weakening when jumped left 12th, 6th of 13, 42l behind Our Armageddon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Mrs Be (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Led to 2nd, prominent until lost place 12th, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Moorlands Again (10-5) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Buailtes And Fadas (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Attempted to make all, ridden and strongly pressed after 3 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd and no extra approaching last, 3rd of 19, 16l behind Native Jack (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs gs in Feb.
