held up mid-division on outside, lost place 21st, behind when pulled up before 3 out
in touch on outside, ridden and effort after 3 out, every chance next, one pace approaching last, no impression flat
held up behind, blundered 12th, outpaced when hit 4 out, beaten when hit next, never near leaders
led to 3rd, tracked leaders, joined leader 20th, led again 3 out, hard pressed next, soon ridden, headed soon after last, no impression with winner flat
in touch on inside, headway to chase leader after 3 out to next, soon ridden and kept on same pace, no impression from last
tracked leaders, joined leader 10th, hit 18th, lost place 20th, behind from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
with leader, led 5th to 8th, tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up behind on inside, steady headway on inside 4 out, tracked leader going well approaching 2 out, soon challenged, led soon after last, ridden and stayed on well flat
held up behind on outside, headway into mid-division 19th, 7th and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
tracked leaders until unseated rider 3rd
tracked leaders, mistake 20th, soon lost place and behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, driven and outpaced when hit 3 out, never on terms
mid-division on i9nside, mistake 13th and 20th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, dropped towards rear 8th, headway under pressure before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
tracked leaders, led 3rd to 5th, led again 8th, mistake 13th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
held up always towards rear
Nonrunner
The ground has come right for Alfa Beat, who has been saved for this by his astute handler after his fifth successive victory at Limerick in September. Whether he stays the extra mile is another matter but he'll be as well prepared as any in the line-up. The Irish challenge looks particularly strong this year and Chicago Grey, who will love the conditions and hated the heavy going when only fifth in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December, will get a good ride from Derek O'Connor and looks a threat to all. But the further SOME TARGET has travelled the better he has looked and he was impressive when landing a 3m4f Punchestown handicap in January. He gets the vote in a typical wide-open curtain raiser. Beshabar will need to improve on what he's shown to date but is likely to do so though the home challenge is headed by Sona Sasta, who has hacked round for victories in minor events at Taunton and Newbury. Jamie Codd is an inspired booking for David Pipe's charge who looks certain to get competitive.
Aberdale (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) Jumped well, made all, ridden approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Silent Cliche (11-2) by 4l, 4 ran.
Alfa Beat (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Raced wide, soon mid-division, headway to track leaders from 7 out, led before 3 out, soon headed, on terms again 2 out, led last, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 3m chs (1) gd in Sep beating Dancing Tornado (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th 4 out where slight mistake, improved in 3rd entering straight, led before 2 out, ridden and challenged last, all out run-in, kept on under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f beg chase hvy in Feb beating Ballymak (11-12) by hd, 14 ran.
Beshabar (IRE) 3-10fav (11-0) With leader from 2nd, ridden to challenge before 3 out, led last, kept on gamely run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m beg chase (4) gs in Feb beating Cool Mission (11-0) by 2l, 4 ran.
Be There In Five (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 13th, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well to come clear from alst, won at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) gd beating Squadron (11-4) by 7l, 3 ran.
Captain Americo (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led and keen, headed before 4 out, one pace from 3 out, mistake last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Wayward Prince (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Chamirey (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Tracked leader on inner, led before 4th, headed 6 out, led again before 5 out, clear from 4 out, eased last 100 yards, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Whats Up Woody (10-13) by 37l, 4 ran.
Chicago Grey (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear on inner, mistake 4 out, went 5th before 2 out, driven along in 4th approaching last, no impression under pressure run-in, 5th of 9, 5l behind Bostons Angel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.
Double Pride 7-2 (11-5) In touch, 5th when blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Deep Pockets (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo Am hcp 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, badly hampered next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
On His Own (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, blundered 7th, not fluent 8th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, 29l behind Wayward Prince (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Pearlysteps 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders not fluent 7th mistake 8th, not fluent and lost place next, in rear when hit 10th, rallied and stayed on from 12th, chased leaders and mistake last, stayed on to 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind The Giant Bolster (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Regal Approach (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression on leaders, 6th of 17, 12l behind Firm Order (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Some Target (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Held up, progress 5 out, 6th next, 3rd after 3 out, 2nd and challenged 2 out, soon led, edging clear when drifted right 100 yards from finish, satyed on, won at Punchestown 3m 4f Ext hcp ch sft in Jan beating Noble Concorde (10-3) by 2l, 16 ran.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 5-6fav (10-11) Jumped well, tended to jump right, made all, came clear from 2 out, steadied into last, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating The Rainbow Hunter (11-4) by 7l, 11 ran.
Carlas Dream (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 16, 39l behind Aura About You (11-0) at Thurles 2m 2f mrs beg chs hvy in Feb.
Glenwood Knight (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in 3rd, tracked winner from 3rd until fell 11th, in a race won by Aiteen Thirtythree (11-7) at Newbury 3m nov chs (4) gs in Feb, 4 ran.
