held up towards rear, slight mistake 1st, fell 9th
chased leaders early, 3rd halfway, mistake 6 out, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened entering straight, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake and ridden 4 out, under pressure in 3rd 3 out, stayed on to join leaders last, led run-in and asserted closing stages, strongly pressed close home
held up and ran freely early, mistakes 5th and 9th, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden 3 out, no impression before next, no extra in 5th and mistake last
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, mistake 6 out, improved to dispute 3 out, ridden and slight mistake 2 out, headed run-in, no extra closing stages and dropped to 3rd
chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 6 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 6th 3 out, stayed on in 4th last, ran on strongly run-in and pressed winner close home
held up, slight mistake 2nd, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, under pressure in 5th 3 out, no impression in 6th next, tired and mistake last, weakened
led, slight mistakes 1st and 9th, joined 3 out and disputed, ridden next, headed and no extra run-in, 4th closing stages
APACHE STRONGHOLD made a gallant attempt to land the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham but had no answer to Vauour. He had earlier beaten today's rival Valseur Lido in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and will take some beating here. The latter's stablemate Gitane Du Berlais is only five but has already amassed four victories over hurdles and is unbeaten in two starts over fences. She was sent to Auteuil for a Grade 3 hurdle last month and duly obliged and the return to fences won't do her any harm. Gilgamboa is a smart performer who will win more races but might just find a couple of these too good.
Apache Stronghold (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair in touch, headway 5 out, close up and going well on outside when not fluent 3 out, soon chased winner and ridden, one pace and well held next, stayed on to regain 2nd near finish, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Vautour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Azorian (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, slight mistake and headed 7th, regained lead 5 out, disputed 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out where slight mistake, 3rd and no impression before last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Fine Rightly (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar.
Gilgamboa (IRE) 4-9fav (11-10) Held up in touch in last, slight mistake 8th and slow jump next, pushed along and went 3rd after 3 out, switched to inner and went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, joined at last, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Rawnaq (11-4) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs G2 (1) in Feb.
Noble Emperor (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Held up and ran freely, fell 3rd, in a race won by Fine Rightly (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar, 5 ran.
Smashing (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division 4th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 30l behind Un De Sceaux (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression and left 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Apache Stronghold (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb.
Valseur Lido (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, ridden to take narrow 2nd when rider dropped whip approaching last, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Vautour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Gitane Du Berlais (FR) 15-8fav (9-10) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdle Grd 3 hvy in Mar beating Dos Santos (10-2) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Gilt Shadow (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) A little keen, tracked leaders, 5th from 2nd, 3rd at 5th, slight mistake 4 out, dropped to moderate 4th before straight, no impression, 4th of 11, 37l behind Blood Cotil (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Feb.
