prominent on outside until blundered and dropped to rear 3rd, struggling 5 out, left well behind from next, ridden and plugged on to take modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders
led to 2nd, tracked leader, hit 5 out, lost place before next, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, close 3rd 4 out, driven to lead narrowly when blundered 2 out, ridden between last 2, 3 lengths clear after last, kept on, all out towards finish
always prominent on outside, pressed leader after 4 out, almost upsides when blundered next, ridden and one pace in 3rd between last 2, kept on but no real impression from last
tracked leaders on inside from 3rd, blundered 10th, pushed along next, blundered 5 out, soon ridden and unable to go with clear trio, no danger after, lost modest 4th before last
led 2nd, headed when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3 lengths down after last, rallied towards finish, not quite able to get back on terms
LA BAGUE AU ROI is rarely over-impressive but 4-4 over fences. She beat JLT runner-up Lostintranslation on debut at Newbury, when Spiritofthegames was last of four, and fought off RSA Chase winner Topofthegame in the Kauto Star at Kempton when the prolific Bags Groove was well adrift. Her last two victories have come at the highest level and she is sure to take all the beating again with her mares’ allowance. Having beaten Kalashnikov in a Grade 2 at Warwick, Glen Forsa was a strong fancy for the Arkle at Cheltenham but got no further than the fourth fence. Kalashnikov was jumping and travelling much better in that race until badly hampered and unseating his rider but this will be his first try over this extra half-mile. Mengli Khan probably has a bit to find on collateral form but has place claims again.
Bags Groove (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Raced on inside throughout, tracked leader, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Kempton 2m 4f (1) gd in Feb beating Castafiore (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Glen Forsa (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, hampered and unseated rider 6th, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Mostly disputed 2nd, virtually upsides when pecked 3 out, ridden before next, one pace in 3rd approaching last, kept on but no impression flat, 3rd of 10, 9 1/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, soon one pace, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd near finish, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 22, 3l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 10-11fav (11-3) Disputed lead early, led from 2nd and made rest, ridden before last, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) gd in Feb beating Kaiser Black (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
