tracked leaders, 4th after 2nd, left close up 8th, on terms 3 out, led into straight, went clear from 2 out, ridden out run-in and stayed on well
chased leaders, 6th after 2nd, mistake 7th, jumped left 8th, pushed along after 5 out, pushed along again from 4 out, soon no impression, no extra straight
held up, 9th after 2nd, mistake 7th, detached and not fluent 5 out, pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression, not fluent 3 out, no extra straight
soon in rear, slightly slow 2nd, very badly hampered 8th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, 5th after 2nd, 3rd approaching straight, chased winner from between last 2, kept on without troubling winner run-in
led, a little keen early, joined from 5th, soon headed, left in lead again from 8th, joined 3 out, headed into straight, dropped to 4th and no extra from after 2 out
close up, soon 2nd, inclined to jump slightly left, on terms from 5th, soon led, fell 8th
chased leaders, 7th after 2nd, not fluent 3 out, moderate 6th approaching straight, no impression when jumped right 2 out, jumped right again last, no extra
held up, 8th after 2nd, slight mistake next, pushed along to close before 3 out, 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders, 3rd after 2nd, slight mistake next, slightly impeded 8th, not fluent 5 out, dropped to 6th and no extra approaching straight
An excellent line-up to start the evening in a race where Art Of Logistics beat three rivals when long odds-on last year. Foildubh was conceding Real Steel 5lb when beaten half-a-length over two miles here last month and this is more his trip though he jumped poorly at Ballinrobe a few days later. The winner is definitely on the upgrade and has won over slightly shorter than this so is unlikely to have any problems on the quick ground. Savello has been operating at a high level since winning last year's Grand Annual but has been unable to cope while Shanpallas, who won the very competitive Munster National in October, hasn't been seen since the following month. Indevan has had a similar absence but he'd looked very progressive when completing a hat-trick last summer and was by no means disgraced when runner-up to Shanahan's Turn on his final start. DARWINS FOX was hurdling for most of last year but reverted to fences with a superb effort in the Red Rum at Aintree where he just failed to concede 8lb to Surf And Turf. He's handed the vote in a fascinating contest in which Nicky Henderson's Cheltenham runner-up French Opera is also feared.
Savello (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent and hampered 1st, rider without irons, pulled up before 2nd, in a race won by Felix Yonger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) in Apr, 9 ran.
French Opera 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, left 2nd at 4th until 8th (water), in touch, challenged on inside 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Anay Turge (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Indevan 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, 4th 4 out, progress into 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, pressed winner from last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Shanahan's Turn (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Shanpallas (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 12th, close up when not fluent last, no extra final 100 yards, 6th of 18, 6l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Darwins Fox (FR) 14-1 (10-13) In touch, mistake 5th, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, closed 2 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Surf And Turf (10-5) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Realt Mor (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Rohan's Pride (10-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp chs gd in May, 15 ran.
Real Steel (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Close up, mistake 3rd, on terms from 5 out, led before straight, pressed and slight mistake 2 out, bad mistake last, soon narrowly headed, stayed on well to regain lead near finish, won at Punchestown 2m hcp chs gd in May beating Foildubh (11-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Foildubh (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led, bad mistake and headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd 3 out, no extra before next, 6th of 15, 24l behind Rohan's Pride (10-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp chs gd in May.
Art Of Logistics (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, 12th of 18, well behind Ballyadam Approach (9-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs in Apr.
Gold Bullet (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, dropped towards rear halfway, ridden in 12th before 4 out, no extra before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Ballyadam Approach (9-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs in Apr, 18 ran.
