mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always behind, trailing in last halfway, never a factor
prominent, disputed lead from 5th, fell 7th
led, joined from 5th, left in front 7th, joined next, headed 4 out, soon ridden, dropped to 4th 3 out, no impression
always behind, no impression from 5 out, never a factor
mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, moderate 6th when blundered badly 5 out, soon lost position and towards rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, improved to dispute lead 8th, not fluent 5 out, led next, pushed along and clear 2 out, not fluent at last, stayed on well run-in, easily
mid-division, moderate 8th 4 out, soon no impression
mid-division, moderate 6th 4 out, went moderate 5th next, kept on same pace from next
mid-division, moderate 5th 4 out, soon pushed along, no impression straight
towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, no impression from 5 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression in 3rd when mistake at last
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd and ridden from next, kept on same pace from last
towards rear, closer in moderate 8th 4 out, ridden and soon no impression
This has been run four times and Willie Mullins has won three of them with short-priced favourites. DON POLI (NAP) carries the flag for the champion trainer here and, as the winner of the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and a close second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown later, he's impossible to oppose on his chasing bow as none of these rivals come close to that form over timber. Aidan O'Brien has a rare runner over fences in Carriganog, a dual winner over hurdles, though he was beaten 7l by today's rival Smashing at Limerick in December. The latter has some experience over fences in France and should make a nice chaser. Wounded Warrior had some very smart form over hurdles and didn't do much wrong on his chasing bow at Punchestown. He'll have improved massively for that experience and looks the one to benefit if the likely favourite doesn't come up to scratch.
Chief Admiral (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, soon raced in 6th, moderate 7th 5 out, no danger when not fluent 2 out, one pace, 5th of 8, 43l behind Real Steel (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chs sft.
Do Be Doin' (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) In rear, raced off pace in 5th halfway, 4th after 3 out, 5th 2 out, ridden after last, kept on, just failed to snatch 4th on line, no impression leaders, 5th of 6, 13l behind Sizing Granite (11-9) at Naas 2m beg chs.
Malt Gem (IRE) 11-2fav (10-13) Held up, improved into 6th approaching straight, moderate 5th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 13, 13l behind Bothair Clei (9-10) at Cork 3m hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
One Cool Shabra (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, moderate 2nd from 7 out, closed 4 out, in front and mistake next, soon headed, no extra from 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 13l behind Mr Cracker (11-5) at Listowel 2m 3f hcp chs gd in Jun '13.
Are You Listening (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 6 out, no impression on leaders before 4 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression before 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 11, 21l behind The Doorman (11-11) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs gd.
Carriganog (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 6th 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, 12th of 13, well behind Empire Of Dirt (11-6) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) in Mar.
Don Poli (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden before 2 out, kept on to dispute before last, 2nd run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Beat That (11-10) at Punchestown 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Apr.
Fiddlers Bow (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, fell 6th (poor visibility), in a race won by Aerlite Supreme (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs sft, 16 ran.
Like It A Lot 5-1 (11-11) Mid-division, fell 1st, in a race won by The Doorman (11-11) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs gd, 11 ran.
Riverside City (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Held up in rear early, went moderate 4th from 8th, moderate 4th and pushed along when jumped left 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 7, well behind The Tullow Tank (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs.
Shield (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up behind leaders, not always fluent, mistake 7th, remote 5th 5 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 43l behind Benemeade (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs in Oct.
Smashing (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division and took keen hold, rapid headway on outer into 2nd 6 out, weakened quickly from 3 out, eased straight, 22nd of 25, well behind Deep Trouble (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl in May.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 5-4 (11-10) Soon raced in 4th, slightly slow 7th, moderate 3rd approaching 7 out, soon closed, under pressure from 3 out, 2nd from 2 out, no impression and one pace from before last, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Shanahan's Turn (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs gd in Oct.
Perfect Promise (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Soon led and disputed, pressed approaching straight, headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to moderate 2nd over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Drunken Counsel (11-13) at Clonmel 2m NH flat hvy in Feb.
