mid-division, headway into 6th 6 out, ridden in 9th 3 out, no extra in 8th 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 9th halfway, 7th 6 out, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, bad mistake and saddle slipped 7 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, no extra before 2 out, moderate 6th entering straight, kept on one pace
prominent and disputed, 2nd halfway, close up and mistake 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, weakened entering straight
held up towards rear, no impression 3 out, some late headway in moderate 8th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway into 3rd 6 out, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, 3rd halfway, weakened 7 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, no impression 3 out, some late headway in moderate 9th entering straight, kept on one pace
towards rear and unseated rider 4th
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra in 6th when brought down last
mid-division, 11th halfway, headway in 7th 4 out, ridden into 4th last, 2nd entering straight, kept on well to challenge inside final furlong, led last 100 yards
mid-division, 10th halfway, headway into 6th 5 out, 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead after last, asserted entering straight, reduced advantage and challenged inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards and no extra
mid-division, 11th 6 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, stayed on into moderate 7th entering straight, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened 7 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway into 12th 3 out, ridden into moderate 5th entering straight, kept on into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression leaders
rear of mid-division, ridden in moderate 10th 3 out, 7th 2 out, no impression in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace
led and disputed, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten when fell last
mid-division, ridden in 11th 3 out, no extra and weakened
mid-division early, 7th halfway, 8th 6 out, mistake and unseated rider next
towards rear for most, never a factor
The main event of the week has attracted a classier line-up than normal with five entered from the UK. They include Paul Nicholls' rapidly-improving Rebel Du Maquis, a very impressive winner at Stratford. David Pipe saddles Qulinton and Matuhi and the former looks to have a realistic chance despite a 12lb penalty for a facile success at Market Rasen when the favourite Schindler's Gold pulled up. Aigle D'Or had beaten Matuhi at Newbury in November and Nicky Henderson looks to have laid him out for this lucrative prize while AP McCoy, successful on 22/1 chance Finger Onthe Pulse a year ago, forsakes the winner this time for DANCING TORNADO, another who has been nursed towards this. Michael Hourigan's charge, runner-up to Little Josh in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham with no less than Long Run in third, has had just one subsequent run on the Flat at Limerick and with the champion on board he gets the vote. Majestic Concorde, third a year ago, will be primed for a big run while Pat Flynn will be delighted that Bahrain Storm crept into the race after three overnight defections as his eight-year-old is very well handicapped on his hurdles form.
Scotsirish (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, some headway into 8th 3 out, ridden to go 3rd next, went 2nd under pressure and 1 length down when left in front after last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Ext hcp ch gd in May beating Lucky Wish (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Psycho (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, closed from after 5 out, soon 4th, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led, clear last, stayed on well, easily, won at Killarney 2m 4f chs gs in May beating Aran Concerto (11-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Majestic Concorde (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) In touch, led 9th (valentine's), headed 13th, chased leaders, 10th and under pressure when mistake and unseated rider 22nd (canal turn), in a race won by Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in May beating Invisible Man (11-2) by 11l, 10 ran.
Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened, 7th of 8, 21l behind Carrigmartin (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs gd in May.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on under pressure approaching last, went 2nd flat, never reached winner, 2nd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Little Josh (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Qulinton (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gs beating Logans Run (11-7) by 19l, 14 ran.
Archie Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, 10th of 13, well behind Original Option (10-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gf.
Ballyholland (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, some headway before 3 out, blundered 2 out, never dangerous, 12th of 30, well behind Always Waining (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Head Of The Posse (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Held up in touch, closer order from before 4 out, travelling well and on terms 2 out, soon led, kept on same pace under pressure run-in and headed near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Made In Taipan (11-0) at Killarney 2m 4f hdl gd in May.
Matuhi 3-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, went 3rd 5 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Watch My Back (11-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Blazing Tempo (IRE) 11-4fav (10-3) Mid-division, headway into 6th 5 out, 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd in May.
Wise Old Owl (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and disputed before next, headed after 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Carrigmartin (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs gd in May.
Hampshire Express (IRE) 22-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 5 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, under pressure in 7th 2 out, moderate 6th last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 17, 17l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd in May.
Schindler's Gold (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, challenged next, weakened 4 out, pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Qulinton (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gs, 14 ran.
Aigle D'or 14-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd after 5 out, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd and no extra 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 20l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd in May.
Idarah (USA) 4-1fav (11-6) Prominent, 2nd before straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 gd.
Lucky Wish 3-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd 5 out, led 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 3m chs gd beating Hangover (11-10) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Schelm (GER) 7-2 (11-6) Held up off the pace last of the 4, closed approaching 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Bahrain Storm (10-13) at Killarney 2m 1f chs gd.
Back Of The Pack (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd and pushed along 5 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 21, 10l behind All The Best Mate (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f mare hcp hdl 8Evens09.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 5-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 4 out, challenged from next, good run under pressure from before last, led and stayed on well run-in, drew on closing stages, won at Killarney 2m 1f chs gd beating Echo Bob (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Dr Whizz (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Soon chased leaders, well off pace, closed from 5 out, led from 2 out, clear last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m Ext hcp chs gs in May beating Coscorrig (11-5) by 9l, 13 ran.
Ponmeoath (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Prominent, slow jump 3rd, ridden and dropped to last approaching straight, soon no extra, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Bahrain Storm (10-13) at Killarney 2m 1f chs gd.
The Last Derby (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Knighton Combe (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun, 17 ran.
Salesin 10-3 (11-10) Made all, clear for much, reduced lead 5 out, asserted under pressure approaching last, stayed on well, won at Wexford 2m 3f chs gd beating Twin Joy (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
