chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra in moderate 4th before last, kept on one pace
held up, 7th halfway, ridden in 8th when fell 3 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, left 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden in 6th after 3 out, no impression and weakened, tailed off
settled mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, 6th halfway, left 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, stayed on to 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
chased leader, fell 3 out
always towards rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off
made all, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly to assert from before last, eased closing stages
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra before last, flashed tail, 3rd run-in
Whatuthink alternates between hurdles and fences nowadays and is still highly rated despite not having won over timber since 2007. Fosters Cross is very versatile but is probably warming up for another crack at Galway where he ran two superb races last year. Sulwaan won twice on the Flat and a novice hurdle at Sligo last July but was beaten at the Galway Festival on his only subsequent start and may just need this. ALPINE EAGLE is better known as a chaser these days and was returning from a long break when beating a strong field at Tipperary a fortnight ago. He just gets the vote though the only four-year-old in the line-up, His Excellency, who gained a debut success over fences at Killarney last month, looks a danger. Now This Is It should be winning again soon but may just need another run after a moderate effort at Aintree following a break.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, closer in 4th 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to narrow lead last, kept on well under pressure, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl gd in May beating Johannisberger (11-4) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Clonsilla Fath (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in rear of mid-division, smooth headway on outer approaching straight, led after 2 out, mistake last, driven out and kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Sep beating Miss Nomer (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Hidden Future (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 11th of 21, 14l behind He's Our Man (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in May.
Sulwaan (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Chased leaders, keen hold, closed after 3 out, travelling well approaching next, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Virgil Earp (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul.
Alpine Eagle (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, not always fluent jumping, progress approaching 6 out and soon close up, on terms from 5 out and led before next, clear approaching straight, soon reduced lead, went on again from 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Tipperary 2m 1f chs sft beating Shot From The Hip (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Soon led and clear at stages, headed 4 out, 4th approaching straight, soon no extra, last of 6, 31l behind The Real Article (11-4) at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Right Strategy (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th approaching 4 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression next, dropped to 4th before last and no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 28l behind Mount Sion (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hts chs gd.
Whatuthink (IRE) 80-1 (11-10) Led, headed 4 out, ridden and dropped to 4th entering straight, no extra under pressure from before last, 4th of 7, 16l behind Quevega (11-3) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) hvy in Apr.
His Excellency (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Soon chased leaders, closed into 2nd travelling well approaching straight, soon on terms, swished tail from before last, led and stayed on best run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gd in May beating Cass Bligh (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Greenbelt Star 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, 4th last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 4th of 21, 5l behind He's Our Man (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in May.
Now This Is It (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, jumped left next, weakened 2 out, 9th of 17, 33l behind Native Gallery (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, struggling from 4 out, soon no impression, 7th of 8, well behind Simenon (11-8) at Cork 2m hdl gd in May.
Slew Charm (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Towards rear, no danger approaching straight, kept on without threatening, 7th of 15, 38l behind Whatever Jacksays (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in May.
