A fine turnout for a moderate prize. Ruby Walsh was pushing and shoving RAPTOR from a long way out at Punchestown last time when the ground was much quicker than his mount would have wanted. He kept finding a bit more and eventually came out on top so the testing conditions here should enable him to complete a double. Baily Green is coming along nicely and appears to act on any going. He's jumped well in the main and has raced in decent company so looks a big threat to Willie Mullins' charge. Regal D'Estruval would be the form pick on his close second to Shot From The Hip at Killarney and Sweeps Hill at Galway but he's just as likely to put in a poor performance as he did at Tipperary last time when his jumping went to pieces. Great Oak was having only her second run over fences when scoring here last month and is likely to continue on the upgrade.
Free World (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hit 5th, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Edgardo Sol (11-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Mahrajaan (USA) 10-1 (11-10) Soon mid-division, progress approaching 4 out, moderate 4th next, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Paddy O Dee (9-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in May.
Raptor (FR) 11-8fav (10-13) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight, led 2 out, kept on well from before last, left clear last, won at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gd in May beating Uncle Tom Cobley (11-2) by 15l, 7 ran.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Led, not fluent 6th, jumped right 7th, joined from 5 out, headed before next, mistake 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 7, 36l behind Alpine Eagle (10-13) at Tipperary 2m 1f chs sft in Jun.
Venture Lazarus (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 7th 7 out, no impression from 4 out, 9th of 15, well behind The Bishop Looney (11-9) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Oct.
Baily Green (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Made all, jumped a bit right, clear 4th, in control from 4 out, hit last, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Roscommon 2m nov chs gs in Jun beating Galloping Gander (11-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Prominent, on terms before 5 out, soon led, headed next, no extra from before 3 out, 7th of 10, 25l behind Mister Benedictine (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Jun.
Great Oak (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 3f beg chase gd in Jun beating Annie Other (11-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
