led, not fluent 7th, headed before 2 out, not fluent at fence when losing place, soon weakened
held up, hampered 1st, closed 4 out, driven and went 3 lengths 2nd when bumped and blundered last, 4th and no impression after
held up, mistake 6th, headway after 4 out, went 3 lengths 2nd from last, stayed on, closing on winner towards finish, unable to challenge
always handy, led before 2 out, 3 lengths clear last, driven out
prominent on inside, just beginning to lose place when blundered 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, closed next, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
Six-year-olds have won four of the last five renewals of this Grade 1 but there is nothing of that age taking part this year. Gods Own will probably be a hot favourite after his second to the brilliant Un De Sceaux in the Arkle, in which Court Minstrel was fifth. He won the big novice chase at last year's Punchestown Festival and beat Balder Success in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November so has strong credentials. Solar Impulse has slowly got to grip with fences and shouldn't be far away. He's preferred to stablemate Art Mauresque, who lacks a bit of experience, but Sizing Granite is respected as he was always going to make a better chaser than hurdler and has won his last two starts. TRAFFIC FLUIDE appears to have something to find on these terms but Gary Moore is never afraid to take on the big boys and his five-year-old has jumped like an old hand in easily winning his last two starts at Plumpton and Sandown. He'll enjoy this test and could be a bit of value.
Art Mauresque (FR) 9-4fav (11-8) Made all, dived at 4th, joined 3 out, asserted after 2 out, clear when went through last, stayed on run-in, driven out, won at Kempton 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Imjoeking (11-7) by 6l, 5 ran.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up behind, not fluent 8th, headway into mid-division 3 out, soon outpaced, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 11, 19l behind Un De Sceaux (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
God's Own (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway to track leading pair 10th, went 2nd after 3 out, effort next, every chance between last 2, ridden after last, kept on same pace, well held flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Un De Sceaux (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Close up, 3rd from 3rd, closed 3 out, on terms 2 out travelling smoothly, led straight, attempted to assert from before last where not fluent, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, comfortably,, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs sft in Feb beating Dysios (11-4) by 6l, 4 ran.
Solar Impulse (FR) 13-8 (11-1) Made most, hard pressed 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 2 lengths clear last, kept on, hard pressed again towards finish, headed final strides, 2nd of 4, nk behind Three Kingdoms (11-4) at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Traffic Fluide (FR) 11-8fav (11-3) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 4th, made rest, in command before 2 out, eased close home, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Seventh Sky (11-8) by 10l, 5 ran.
