held up, headway approaching 11th, went 2nd 13th, ridden and challenging when fell 2 out
held up mid-division, not fluent, blundered 8th, chased leaders 5 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression
close up, led 3rd, challenged when left clear 2 out, kept on well
held up, chased leaders approaching 14th, weakened from 4 out
close up, blundered 3rd, blundered 7th, weakened from 5 out
led to 3rd, chased leader, weakened from 13th
held up, headway on outer approaching 11th, behind from 12th, pulled up after 13th
chased leaders, weakened from 14th
held up, headway approaching 9th, chased leaders 10th, left poor 3rd 2 out when jumped right, no impression
blundered and unseated rider 1st
A return to a flat track can see STAR DE MOHAISON back in the winners¿ enclosure. Onto the podium go stablemate Denman and his Kempton conqueror Madison Du Berlais. The selection receives up to 10lbs from his main rivals and this could swing the balance in his favour. He is officially rated 158 but the feeling is that on a flat track he is a stone better horse. He won the Mildmay here in 2006 and although he is yet to really sparkle since his return a year ago, there is a big race in him. Ruby Walsh rides due to Sam Thomas retaining the gig on Denman and he is fancied to improve his already excellent record on the gelding (four wins and two third-places from six rides). Stablemate Denman ran a blinder at Cheltenham to finish second to Kauto Star and he heads the betting, however there must be doubts over this quick reappearance after his injury problems. He is clear on the ratings but a quick track on good ground is not his perfect cup of tea and there is plenty of opposition to any pace-making duties. Madison Du Berlais will run better now on a flat track. Connections were lured into going for the Gold Cup after his Levy Board (Aon Chase) win but this is more likely to suit and assuming he jumps better today he must go close. Snoopy Loopy looks to be paying the price for a long season, whilst The Listener is a formidable front-runner when on song but he needs softer ground and his jumping so far this season has been uncharacteristically sloppy. A tongue-tie is tried on Albertas Run but whilst the ground will suit this strong-galloper, the course is probably not ideal despite having won here over hurdles. A flat track will suit Air Force One who is not to be ruled out, despite the feeling that he lacks the class to win at this level and is more of a handicapper. Which Our Vic will turn up is anyone's guess but he won this race last year and so he must be on any shortlist, but it is Star De Mohaison who can shine brightest.
Denman (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, disputed 2nd 13th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, stayed on, soon held, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up well off pace, hit 1st, 9th and 11th, smooth headway after 17th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd when hit next, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, hit 6th, ridden after 14th, weakened 17th, 8th of 16, 43l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Our Vic (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent and headed 9th, ridden 12th, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Imperial Commander (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 8th until 12th, hit next, faded from 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 18th, in a race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
The Listener (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Led, headed before 3 out, ridden in 3rd and no extra 2 out, weakened entering straight, last of 6, well behind Neptune Collonges (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 sft in Feb.
Mister McGoldrick 40-1 (11-10) Prominent early, chased leaders from 5th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 9, 18l behind Imperial Commander (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Air Force One (GER) 16-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and weakening when mistake 18th, 12th of 16, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Albertas Run (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 15th, ridden after 18th, mistake 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 48l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, jumped awkwardly 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
