slow jump 1st, chased leader, struggling from before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
made all, slightly slow 5 out, clear from before straight, steadied and drifted left last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
keen hold, held up, mistake 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight
chased leaders, plenty to do from before 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight
Just Friends and Imperial Shabra are good enough to win their share of races but a victory for either would be a surprise. West With The Wind won three times at Ffos Las before pulling up in the Arkle at Cheltenham. He's since scored on his favourite track on the Flat and over fences and is a young chaser on the upgrade but his overall form doesn't match up to that of LOOSEN MY LOAD. Henry De Bromhead's charge mixed it with the best throughout last season and did himself justice in top company. He returned with a comfortable success at Navan and looks set for another good season.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 8-11fav (11-9) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, soon 3rd, 2nd 6 out, close up next, improved to lead approaching 3 out, asserted before next, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f chs gd in Sep beating Sebadee (10-13) by 7l, 6 ran.
West With The Wind 3-1 (11-12) Made all, clear until 5th, drew clear again from 4 out, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs (2) gf in Aug beating Rio Gael (10-4) by 5l, 6 ran.
Just Friends (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, joined approaching 4th, headed 5 out, pushed along next, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 47l behind Jack Cool (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl in Apr.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Led, headed into straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8l behind First Lieutenant (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) sft.
