raced keenly, led driven over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
chased leaders, lost place 6f out, ridden and kept on final 2f, never on terms
held up behind, some headway when carried wide over 4f out, soon beaten
towards rear, driven and headway over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, effort on inside over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, never on terms
chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, soon lost place and behind
mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression from over 1f out
pulled hard, mid-division on outside, headway and in touch after 7f, raced wide and lost place over 4f out, soon weakened and eased
chased leaders on inside, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on outside halfway, lost place 4f out, soon weakened
behind, headway into mid-division 6f out, chased leaders 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, under pressure when hampered bend over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd over 1f out, no impression on leading pair
mid-division on outside, headway and in touch halfway, challenged 4f out, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leader 3f, in touch, driven and lost place over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, lost place over 4f out, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, kept on, nearest finish
raced keenly on outside, headway to join leader after 3f, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, driven and headway over 3f out, soon chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway 6f out, tracked leader going well over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon clear, easily
tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened
Last year saw one of the most breathtaking winners of this race in Dunguib and it's doubtful that we'll be treated to a repeat, but one thing that does seem entirely likely is that this prize may go to Ireland; of the Emerald raider's we'll take ELEGANT CONCORDE ahead of stablemate Hidden Universe, whilst Al Ferof can get the better of the Mullins trio Bishopsfurze, Day Of A Lifetime and Up Ou That in the battle for minor honours. Dermot Weld's charge won nicely at Leopardstown on his second start, showing marked improvement from his first run when the gelding failed to justify strong support. That performance in victory came on ground similar to that faced here and his trainer knows the time of day with his bumper runners, so whilst he doesn't bring a flashy unbeaten profile to the contest that doesn't put us off. Stablemate Hidden Universe has to be considered too, especially as Pat Smullen presumably had a choice between the pair and opted for this one. He was impressive in his own right when making a winning debut, but arriving here having had just one run has historically made winning difficult and we'll take him on for that reason. Willie Mullins has done extremely well in this race in the past but he doesn't appear to have an outstanding performer on his hands this time. That's not to underestimate Day Of A Lifetime who may prove his best runner, but he didn't scream superstar when winning at Fairyhouse. Up Ou That and Bishopsfurze both enter calculations as well and could be open to any amount of improvement and the market will help solve the riddle as to which is the best of his three, but the fact that Ruby Walsh chooses to ride Al Ferof for Paul Nicholls may tell its own tale. The English don't have a great record in this event but this one created a very favourable impression when winning arguably the best domestic bumper of the season and, whilst his future lies over obstacles, he must have a live chance of upsetting the Irish domination. Drumbaloo has more experience than most and that will stand him in good stead up the hill, Shot From The Hip is promising but the gelding's rider wins few admirers and this may be a step too far, whilst Tavern Times is another Irish contender with claims having shown a liking for this ground on debut. The market may help solve this puzzle but without that guide the speed of Elegant Concorde is the pick, but it'd be no surprise were Al Ferof to get one back for the home contingent at a rewarding price.
Al Ferof (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Tracked leader to halfway, regained 2nd 3f out, led well over 2f out, kept on well, driven out final furlong, won at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Made In Time (11-3) by 5l, 11 ran.
Back At The Ranch (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 14l behind Al Ferof (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Basford Bob (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up, headway over 4f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Habbie Simpson (11-4) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 8-11fav (11-13) Held up, headway in 6th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, ran on well final furlong to lead inside last 100 yards, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat in Feb beating Foildubh (11-7) by 5l, 11 ran.
Bubbly Bruce (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway into 5th before halfway, good progress to lead approaching straight, driven clear under 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, won at Thurles 2m N H flat sft in Feb beating Octavin (12-0) by 7l, 15 ran.
Carpincho (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner and hung left over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Al Ferof (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Dare Me (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Chased leaders, led over 4f out, came clear final 2f, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb beating Bendant (11-4) by 6l, 15 ran.
Day Of A Lifetime (IRE) 2-5fav (11-13) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge entering straight, led over 2f out, ridden clear from over 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat sft in Feb beating Oscars Well (11-8) by 6l, 9 ran.
De Forgotten Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 5th of 13, 10l behind Mic's Delight (11-2) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) sft in Feb.
Drumbaloo (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, headway approaching straight, challenged travelling well 2 1/2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, strongly pressed close home, just held on, won at Navan 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 sft in Dec beating Tornedo Shay (11-11) by shd, 5 ran.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, held on well, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov beating Lush Life (11-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Elegant Concorde (IRE) 8-11fav (11-9) Towards rear, headway from 4f out, 6th 3f out, ridden in moderate 4th 2f out, 2nd and drifted in behind leader briefly under 1f out, soon led and stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo nhf in Dec beating Spill The Beans (11-9) by 2l, 10 ran.
Frawley (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Held up in rear, good headway on outer from 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m NH flat hvy in Feb beating Bubbly Bruce (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Made In Time (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, headway from 3f out, chased winner 2f out until over 1f out, rallied to regain 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Al Ferof (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Megastar 6-4fav (11-2) Held up in touch, steady headway going well 4f out, chased winner 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression when hung left final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Johnny Mullen (10-9) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
On His Own (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, closed up to dispute lead travelling well 4f out, led 2f out, strongly pressed and stayed on best from over 1f out, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f N H flat in Dec beating Some Target (12-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Shannon Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, progress into 4th 6f out, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, eased close home, won at Thurles 2m N H flat hvy in Jan beating Crannaghmore Mist (12-0) by 7l, 15 ran.
Sheer Genius (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Mid-division, headway in 7th 4f out, improved to 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind De Dodger (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 1f N H flat sft in Feb.
Shot From The Hip (GER) 6-1 (11-11) Close 2nd, led halfway, pressed early straight, pushed out and quickened clear from over 1f out, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m N H flat sft in Feb beating Araucaria (11-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Super Villan 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on until no extra final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Saintly Lady (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Tavern Times (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Mid-division, short of room before halfway, progress on outer over 4f out, 8th before straight where wide, ridden in moderate 3rd over 1f out, quickened well to lead inside last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat gd in Oct beating Old Mcdonald (11-10) by 3l, 16 ran.
Up Ou That (IRE) 6-4 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd after 6f, improved to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden clear final furlong, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat hvy in Jan beating Romanesco (11-12) by 16l, 4 ran.
Cue Card 6-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, headway 6f out, led 2f out, quickened away final furlong, easily, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Jan beating Caught By Witness (11-4) by 6l, 13 ran.
Hidden Universe (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, progress to lead travelling well entering straight, quickened clear from 1f out, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo nhf hvy in Jan beating Timesawastin (11-7) by 10l, 8 ran.
