jumped right at times, led, mistake 6th, slow and headed 7th, led before next, not fluent 12, 13th or 14th, went 6 lengths clear after 2 out, reduced lead when in tight to last and not fluent, headed flat, no impression towards finish
held up in 4th and patiently ridden, closed on outside into 3rd 3 out, jumped right 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before last
chased leader, led 7th, headed before next, lost 2nd 11th, switched right before 15th, went 2nd again before 4 out until mistake 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last
never really travelling in last, mistake 5th, reminder 8th, well behind when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 11th until before 4 out, went 2nd again 3 out, driven and 6 lengths down after 2 out, closed last, led flat, stayed on well
NonRunner
Neither A Plus Tard nor Shishkin enjoyed the best of luck at Cheltenham. The former was badly hampered and pulled up when attempting to land back-to-back Gold Cups while Nicky Henderson’s charge blundered three out in the Ryanair and failed to overhaul Envoi Allen. This is a first try over the trip for the latter, however, and there will be no hanging about despite the small field. Bravemansgame was no match in the end for the brilliant Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup but was still clear second-best and should again beat third Conflated but AHOY SENOR was still travelling well in front when falling at Cheltenham and has won at this meeting for the last two years. Ga Law looks a little out of his comfort zone.
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Jumped right at times, led, not fluent 15th, fell 17th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
A Plus Tard (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, in rear after 12th, hampered and lost further ground 17th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Conflated (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, left 4th when slightly hampered 17th, trying to squeeze through to challenge when short of room and lost place before 2 out, went 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 13, 13 1/2l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Ga Law (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden after 9th, mistake 4 out, stayed on run-in, went 5th towards finish, never on terms, 5th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Envoi Allen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Shishkin (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Jumped left, niggled along early towards rear, mistake 6th, headway next, blundered badly and lost place 3 out, closed when not much room and switched right before 2 out, hanging left when switched right again before last, hanging left flat, stayed on, went 2nd close home, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Envoi Allen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Bravemansgame (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, left 3rd 17th, switched left before leading 2 out, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
