settled towards rear, 9th halfway, ridden and no extra after 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden after 2 out and went 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in
settled in mid-division, headway into 4th before 3 out, went 2nd approaching straight and ridden to lead before last, stayed on well to assert run-in
led, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before last
settled on inner, 5th halfway, 7th approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure in straight without troubling leaders
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, 5th approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out and not recover, behind when pulled up before last
rear of mid-division, 7th on outer halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
always towards rear, no threat after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
always towards rear, no extra after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 4th, led 3 out, strongly pressed and headed approaching last, soon no extra and weakened run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, driven along entering straight and went 3rd before last, kept on one pace
Nicky Henderson won this a year ago and is double-handed this time with OSCARA DARA likely to prove better than Malt Master. A very impressive winner on soft ground at Sandown, he could only finish fourth in a Grade 2 at Aintree won by stablemate Darlan but should land this as he takes a big drop in grade. Terminal won three bumpers in France before making a winning debut for Willie Mullins over hurdles at Navan. He was undoubtedly disappointing in a four-runner event at Fairyhouse last time but remains a horse with a big future. Stablemate Tango Banbou ran poorly on his first two starts for the yard over fences then caused a shock when making all over hurdles at Gowran. Captain Dancer, a useful performer on soft ground on the Flat, made an impressive start over timber at Tipperary and is one to keep an eye on but the remainder will all need to raise their game.
Captain Dancer (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd before straight, switched to outer travelling well and led before last, asserted run-in, easily, won at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gs in Oct beating Spot Fine (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Malt Master (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 2 out, kept on towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov beating Crowning Jewel (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Oscara Dara (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from after 2 out, went 4th final 100 yards, no impression, 4th of 12, 16l behind Darlan (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Tango Banbou (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Made all, soon clear, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) in Mar beating Touch Back (11-8) by 6l, 7 ran.
Terminal (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no impression in 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Galileo's Choice (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl in Feb.
Bombadero (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, 6th before 4 out, no impression from before next, 5th of 17, well behind Argocat (10-5) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Dylan Villen (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders early, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Its The Ice I Like (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Inesperate (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 15, 15l behind Torrens (10-7) at Pau(FR) 2m 3f hdl gd in Jan.
Shabra Charity (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Waited with, moderate 4th after 3 out, soon dropped to last and no impression, last of 5, well behind Royal Reveille (11-8) at Limerick 2m 5f Grade 3 nov hdl (1) in Oct.
Ted Dolly (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to narrow lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Ceol Rua (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Lough Donnell Mist (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Waited with, towards rear early, closer in 8th 3 out, improved to lead into straight, soon clear, not fluent 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Eightybarackstreet (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd.
Wolf Hall (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, narrow leader from 5 out, stayed on well from before last, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gd beating Moby Dick (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Ted Veale (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Keen hold, raced 4th of the 5, 3rd approaching straight, soon 2nd, challenged and led under 2f out, headed under 1f out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Mozoltov (12-0) at Limerick 2m 3f N H flat hvy in Mar.
