held up until hampered and brought down 4th
chased leader, made most after, hit 13th, headed soon after 4 out, outpaced by front pair after next
chased leaders, challenged 4 out, soon led, pushed along and kept on well flat
made most to 5th, mostly chased leader after until hit 12th, blundered 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out
behind, slightly hampered 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
in touch, headway 13th, challenged 4 out, chased winner soon after, every chance 3 out, went right 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leader, led 5th until 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off
in touch until fell 4th
LIMERICK BOY may well have most to fear from last year's winner, Royal Hector. The Favourite's Racing owned gelding has enjoyed the switch to Hunter Chasing, unseating on his debut before winning impressively at Bangor on heavy ground. The quicker conditions should pose no problem and the Bangor form has worked out well with the placed horses both winning next time out. Royal Hector hasn't been out since comfortably landing this race but is sure to have been well prepared for his attempt to follow up. Distant Thunder once looked capable of going to the top over fences but he endured more than his share of problems and has been absent since finishing a decent seventh in the Irish National in 2007; it remains to be seen how much ability he retains. Bob Justice brings more recent form claims to the table but the scales are tipped heavily in favour of Limerick Boy.
Cape Verde Sal (IRE) 25-1 (12-3) Led until 7th, lost place from next, ridden after 9th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Ofarel D'airy (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft, 8 ran.
Royal Hector (GER) 4-1 (12-2) Led 2nd until 8th, remained prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, readily, won at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs beating Ask Again (11-5) by 13l, 10 ran.
Limerick Boy (GER) 6-5fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (6) hvy beating Baby Run (11-7) by 16l, 6 ran.
Bob Justice (IRE) 5-2 (12-5) Made virt all; drew clr 2 out, won at Higham 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Quid Pro Quo (12-5) by 35l, 6 ran.
Dennis The Legend 12-1 (12-0) Raced wide, prominent, lost place 4th, jumped left 7th, not fluent 8th, hung right on bend after 13th, struggling after, 5th of 14, 31l behind Robbers Glen (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 7-2 (12-5) A.p; led aft 12-14; led 15 til hdd nr fin, 2nd of 11, nk behind Gaelsbob (12-5) at Larkhill 3m ptp gs in Jan.
Earth Moving (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) T.o & pulled up in race won by Meanus Dandy (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Jaoka du Gord (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Held up; hdwy 12; wknd qckly app 2 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Christy Beamish (11-7) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd.
