disputed lead, led from 6th, headed and ridden 4 out, led again after 3 out, joined entering straight, headed 2 out and soon weakened
in rear, not fluent 2nd, briefly pushed along at 4th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
disputed lead, headed 6th, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
rear of mid-division, headway to chase leaders at 12th, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, dropped to rear before 4 out, weakened
towards rear, slight mistake 1st, closer in 5th 3 out, 3rd travelling well entering straight, 2nd and jumped right 2 out, ridden to lead before last, jumped right at last, stayed on well run-in. comfortably
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, headway into 3rd on inner next, disputed lead travelling well entering straight, led 2 out and soon ridden, headed before last, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, slight mistake 11th, 5th 4 out, ridden in 6th next, 5th 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace
The first four from a year ago are engaged again. Jett has never been the most consistent of performers but is classy at his best and he battled on well to beat Alpha Des Obeaux a short-head last year with Tout Est Permis and Balko Des Flos in the minor places. There's nothing again between the first two and the winner had earlier beaten THE STORYTELLER just over 4 lengths at Fairyhouse. However, he was receiving 8lb that day and the runner-up now receives 8lb which should be more than enough for a form reversal. Gordon Elliott also runs Shattered Love, whose best run last season came when a close second to Chris's Dream in a Gowran Grade 2, and Ravenhill, the Grade 2 National Hunt Chase winner at Cheltenham who is perfectly capable of a big run if getting round.
Jett (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, soon mid-division, towards rear halfway, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up next, at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jul.
Ravenhill (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division on outer, slight mistake 4th and lost place, rear of mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 10th, at Listowel 3m hcp sft in Sep.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed briefly 5 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression on winner before last, moderate 3rd and ridden over 1f out, kept on closing stages, 3rd of 6, 15 1/4l behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-0) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 6-4 (11-0) Led, joined briefly 3rd, headed after 6th, disputed lead again from 8th, headed after 3 out, no impression in 3rd and slight mistake next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 5, 35 1/2l behind Footpad (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Freewheelin Dylan (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Rear of mid-division, some headway in 7th 4 out, no impression after next and no extra in straight, 9th of 17, 22 3/4l behind Cabaret Queen (10-9) at Listowel 3m hcp sft in Sep.
The Storyteller (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Slight mistake 1st, prominent, mistake 2nd, a little slow 3rd and towards rear, pushed along briefly after 9th, pushed along again into straight and headway, left chasing winner from 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Easy Game (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
Tout Est Permis (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway on outside 2 out led before last, soon headed, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 24, 7l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Shattered Love (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Prominent, pressed winner from 6th, ridden and lost place turning in, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 23 1/2l behind Min (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
