held up, in rear when blundered and unseated rider 5th
tracked leader, joined leader 9th, outpaced from 15th
led, pushed along after 11th, headed 15th, weakened after 4 out
held up and keen, steady headway 5 out, tracking leaders when hit 2 out, led after last, stayed on well
held up in touch, took closer order 12th, led 15th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear when hampered 1st, headway to track leaders approaching 8th, pushed along approaching 15th, weakened approaching 3 out
fell 1st
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 11th, blundered 4 out, behind when fell 2 out
in touch, blundered 9th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, blundered and headed last, not recover
In this excellent contest, Monkerhostin gets our vote, with Beef Or Salmon and Celestial Gold possibly the ones to give him the most to do. Much as he was a slightly disappointing sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the much-improved-this-season Monkerhostin had earlier been narrowly beaten by Kicking King in the King George. Connections feel that he remains in very good heart and, if that proves to be the case, he looks to be a major player today. Beef Or Salmon confirmed his lack of aptitude for Cheltenham with a modest Gold Cup effort but he has proven himself a top-class staying chaser with numerous Grade 1 wins, not least at Leopardstown, although he will need to stay free of mistakes in order to get into a jumping rhythm on this tight track. Celestial Gold was fancied for the Gold Cup but unseated his rider early in the contest but last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup and Hennessy Gold Cup winner still rates a solid mention today. Having been second last season, Take The Stand ran fifth in this season's Gold Cup and cannot be ruled out, not least if the going quickens up. The Gold Cup fourth and Racing Post Chase second L'Ami is certainly no forlorn hope but the others, including the recently disappointing Ollie Magern, have something to find based on official ratings. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Monkerhostin.
Beef Or Salmon (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Held up, hit 10th and 13th, ridden 16th, headway approaching 2 out, never near leaders, 11th of 22, 19l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Ollie Magern 33-1 (11-10) Led to 8th, led again 13th to 15th, weakened 18th, 17th of 22, well behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
See You Sometime 66-1 (11-3) Prominent until ridden and weakened after 13th, 8th of 11, 34l behind Fondmort (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up and keen, mistake and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 22 ran.
L'ami (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 13th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 22, 10l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Monkerhostin (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Held up, blundered 5th, headway 15th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 22, 11l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
My Will (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 6th, slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 10l behind Fondmort (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Royal Emperor (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) In touch, lost place and hit 13th, mistake 15th, kept on flat, 8th of 22, 16l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Take The Stand (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up and mistakes, headway 18th, ridden after 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 22, 11l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
