chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden before 2 out and improved into 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
led early, joined after 1st and soon headed, settled behind leaders, jumped right 3rd, improved to dispute after 3 out, led before last and kept on well under pressure run-in
chased leaders early, improved into 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th before 4 out, ridden after 3 out and no impression after next
towards rear, not fluent 4th and dropped to rear halfway, pushed along after 4 out, no impression before 2 out and pulled up before last
tracked leaders early, led after 2nd, pressed before 3 out and soon headed, no impression in 4th from before last and kept on same pace run-in
raced towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no impression after next
tracked leaders early, disputed after 1st and settled behind leader from 2nd, dropped to 3rd halfway, not fluent 5 out, improved to dispute after 3 out, headed before last and soon dropped to 3rd, kept on same pace run-in
This is a good race for favourites with Flemenstar and Big Zeb sharing the last five between them. Days Hotel has won four times at this level and both trip and going are in his favour. He was beaten by Twinlight at Cork in December and though easily turning the tables here in February Willie Mullins' charge returned with a throat infection. Both are carrying penalties and the concession of 8lb to SPECIAL TIARA may prove beyond them. Henry De Bromhead's charge, who beat a high-class field to land last year's Grade 1 Maghul Novices' Chase at Aintree, hasn't lived up to expectations but his overall form should be good enough under these race conditions. Baily Green was nowhere near his best at Gowran last month and is well up to this standard while the front-running Arnaud may find the ground too testing on his first start since May.
Days Hotel (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) With leader to 4th, in touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, lost place next, weakened 2 out, last of 10, 37l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Twinlight (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Led, bad mistake 2nd, headed next, dropped to 5th 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 20l behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Baily Green (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along 8th, weakened to last 4 out, soon trailing, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sizing Europe (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Oct, 6 ran.
Lucky William (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Not much room, awkward and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Wishfull Thinking (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Special Tiara 4-5fav (11-2) Led, clear halfway, reduced advantage when not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd when mistake at last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Fosters Cross (11-2) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f chs gf in Aug.
Arnaud (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Soon disputed lead, headed 3rd, lost place from before 6 out, soon towards rear, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by God's Own (11-10) at Punchestown 2m nov chs G1 (1) in May, 8 ran.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 8th and ridden along, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, pressed winner approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Mozoltov (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs hvy in Mar.
