held up towards rear, under pressure when mistake 9th, never on terms
held up behind, not fluent 8th, headway into mid-division 3 out, soon outpaced, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, never on terms
pressed winner to after 4th, in touch, blundered and lost place 9th, behind from next, pulled up before 2 out
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
chased leaders, outpaced 10th, went 4th after 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair before last, kept on same pace, no impression
prominent on outside, mistake 8th, lost place 10th, behind next, pulled up before 2 out
in rear when pecked 3rd, hit 6th, soon under pressure, headway into mid-division 3 out, never on terms, weakened last
tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, driven and lost place after 3 out, weakened next
made virtually all, driven 2 out, soon pressed, ridden clear after last, stayed on strongly and well in command flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 9th until after 3 out, ridden and one pace in 4th before last, no extra
The Mullins stable has never had a winner in this Grade 1 but won't hear of defeat for Un De Sceaux this year. But, given his tendency to pull hard and make the odd mistake, he's hardly a value bet at the current odds despite beating Clarcam on the bridle at Leopardstown in January having earlier thumped Smashing at Fairyhouse. Josses Hill's jumping has been a bit hit-and-miss so far but he was second in the Supreme Novices' last year and previous Festival form is generally a plus. He has an engine and could be a factor if everything falls into place, though Vibrato Valtat has proved more reliable so far. Paul Nicholls' grey has beaten Three Kingdoms and Dunraven Storm in his last three runs but has been beaten in all three previous visits to the track. The Pipe team regularly put one aside for this - they saddled the 33/1 winner last year and had an 80/1 third 12 months earlier - and there's a very good chance that SAIL BY THE SEA is a lot better than his bare form. He's only won a moderate event at Chepstow so far but had a couple of useful novices in trouble at Plumpton on his chasing debut earlier before running out of steam and looks a natural over fences.
Clarcam (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, joined for 2nd briefly at 3rd and 5th, ridden from 2 out and soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace run-in, not trouble winner, 2nd of 3, 15l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) in Jan.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear but in touch, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off when jumped badly right last, last of 4, 33l behind Vibrato Valtat (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led until narrowly headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, soon readily outpaced in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Ptit Zig (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Dec.
God's Own (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, awkward 2nd, not fluent next, 2 lengths ahead 3 out, ridden and headed between last two, weakened and eased before left in poor 3rd at the last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Vibrato Valtat (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov chs (1) sft in Dec.
Josses Hill (IRE) 1-2fav (10-10) Tracked leading pair, reached for 9th, switched outside 11th, not fluent 4 out, took narrow 2nd next, upsides 2 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Third Intention (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f grd chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Feb.
Sail By The Sea (IRE) 1-6fav (10-12) Jumped well, clear most of way, eased in closing stages, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Jan beating All But Grey (10-9) by 10l, 6 ran.
Sgt Reckless 33-1 (11-7) In touch, dropped rear 4out, outpaced next, 5th of 6, 43l behind Faugheen (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
Smashing (FR) 4-5fav (11-9) Led before 2nd, ridden clear before 2 out, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase hvy in Jan beating Upsie (11-5) by 33l, 9 ran.
Three Kingdoms (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 4th, challenged 4 out, upsides when blundered next, soon ridden, 2 lengths down last, rallied final 110 yards, led final strides, won at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan beating Solar Impulse (11-1) by nk, 4 ran.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 8-11fav (11-12) Made all, took keen hold early, slight mistake 2 out and soon went clear, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) in Jan beating Clarcam (11-2) by 15l, 3 ran.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) In rear and in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led on bit last, soon quickened, very easily, won at Warwick 2m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Top Gamble (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
