towards rear when badly hampered after 4th, never a factor
rear of mid-division when brought down 4th
tracked leaders in 4th when fell at 4th
held up in rear of mid-division, headway after 3 out, driven along in 7th entering straight, kept on one pace without threatening
rear of mid-division, never a factor, some headway after 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace
mid-division when brought down 4th
mid-division when brought down 4th
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, no threat in straight
always prominent, 2nd halfway, led early straight, strongly pressed last and soon headed, no impression on winner run-in and lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, 10th halfway, headway after 3 out, 4th entering straight, soon no extra and weakened
tracked leaders, 9th halfway, 7th 3 out, went 3rd entering straight, ridden and no extra from last, weakened run-in
settled in mid-division on inner, some headway in 7th bypassing 2 out, good progress early straight to challenge at last, soon led and kept on well run-in
mid-division when brought down 4th
led, strongly pressed and headed early straight, no extra
mid-division, 11th halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division on outer, 8th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 3 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, still well in touch when blundered 4 out, fatally injured
tracked leaders in 6th when brought down at 4th
rear of mid-division, headway after 3 out, 5th entering straight, 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in without troubling winner
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, no extra approaching straight, weakened
rear of mid-division when brought down 4th
These qualifiers are tricky at the best of times and with several coming into the race in top form it's even more difficult than usual. Prince Erik, who won this last year, has been chasing but finished runner-up in the Final at Cheltenham subsequently and Dermot Weld will want to get him qualified. It's a tough race for a four-year-old but Tillahow looked in sparkling form at Limerick on Tuesday and only has a 4lb penalty to carry. Rourke's Cross is a very promising type making his debut in a handicap and he's one to note as is Sweet My Lord, who bounced back to form when well supported at Cork though is 9lb higher as a consequence. CATCH ME was racing over fences at this time last year but reverted to hurdles during the summer and ran some fine races in defeat. He looks well handicapped these days and Edward O'Grady should have him fit and ready to gain his first success in over two years.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway from 4 out, 8th approaching 2 out, no impression in 5th at last, kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 7l behind Alfa Beat (11-3) at Listowel 3m hcp chs sft in Sep.
The Midnight Club (IRE) 15-2fav (10-13) In touch, mistake 3rd, outpaced 5 out, hampered next, soon ridden, 7th 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 6th of 40, 28l behind Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Rick (FR) 18-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 5 out, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 9l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) in Nov.
Sweet My Lord (FR) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, challenged early straight and led after 3 out, kept on well under pressure from before last, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl in Nov beating Pozyc (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Catch Me (GER) 7-4fav (10-12) Raced moderate last of the 4, went 3rd after 3 out, pecked 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind No One Tells Me (10-12) at Tipperary 3m hdl gd in Jun.
Prince Erik 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 6th of 11, 14l behind Sarteano (11-0) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Jul.
Marlay Park (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, driven along after 2 out, no impression under pressure run-in, 5th of 13, 6l behind Monastrell (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chs hvy in Oct.
Inspector Clouseau (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no extra, 5th of 15, 9l behind Staying Article (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Tillahow (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 3 out, led approaching next, clear when not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy beating Farrells Fancy (11-8) by 7l, 8 ran.
Adams Island (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 4th, slow 7th and soon headed, 3rd 6 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened and tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Loosen My Load (11-9) at Navan 2m 4f chs gd in Sep.
Rourke's Cross (IRE) 11-8 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, closed 4 out, pushed along next, challenged on outer from 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy beating Lean Times (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Powerstation (11-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl, 17 ran.
Jetson (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 3 out, dropped to last and no extra after 2 out, last of 4, 17l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G1 (1) hvy.
Acapulco (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 5th, progress into 3rd 4 out, close 2nd travelling well after 3 out, led after 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on under pressure, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Hellyhunter (11-4) at Navan 2m 7f nov hdl in Mar '10.
Dooney Rock (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Attempted to make all, joined 2 out, soon headed, no impression and kept on without troubling winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Blazing Tempo (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hdl 0-123 hvy.
Serpentaria 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Schinkel (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft.
Bale O'shea (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway into 8th 4 out, ridden in 9th 3 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 8th of 17, 18l behind Powerstation (11-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl.
Define (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Dorset Square (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Molly's Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Slipped up before 2nd, in a race won by Jolily (11-5) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-102 hvy, 17 ran.
Streets Of Gold (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never a factor, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Smoking Aces (10-7) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 sft, 16 ran.
Gamede (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 33l behind Rangitoto (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Schinkel (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd entering straight, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden to lead, strongly pressed and edged left closing stages, kept on, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft beating Galant Ferns (10-13) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Sword Fish (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division halfway, no impression from 3 out, 12th of 15, 43l behind Staying Article (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
The Lady Granuaile (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway on outer into 3rd 3 out, disputing lead on outer when left with narrow lead 2 out, soon joined, attempted briefly to run-out at last, regained lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov beating De Dodger (10-2) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Bruach Na Mara (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Fell 2nd, in a race won by Allee Garde (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chs hvy, 14 ran.
Sizing Australia (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd approaching 3 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened, 12th of 22, well behind Kyle's Turn (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109.
