held up in 5th, lost place and behind 9th, struggling 12th, lost touch 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden last, drew clear flat, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, chased leaders under pressure 2 out, soon ridden, one pace last, kept on under pressure flat, not pace to reach leaders
disputed lead until led before 11th, blundered 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon one pace, weakened last
tracked leaders, pecked 12th, went 2nd 5 out until mistake next, chased leading pair, went 2nd again approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on, not pace of winner flat
made most, headed before 11th, chased leader, blundered 13th (water), lost place 5 out, outpaced after next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, chased leaders under pressure 2 out, soon ridden, chased leading pair briefly last, stayed on under pressure flat, took 3rd again near finish
held up behind, steady headway into 4th after 4 out, ridden before last, chased leading pair flat, kept on same pace, no impression, lost 3rd near finish
Don Poli beat Wounded Warrior just over two lengths over 2m4f at Gowran in November. A winner at The Festival last year over timber, he accounted for Apache Stronghold over this trip in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown just after Christmas and that one had the mare Adriana Des Mottes behind when winning another Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. Apache Jack disappointed at Navan last time but would have place claims on his best form but this might be too hot for handicappers The Ould Lad and The Young Master while Skybet Chase winner If In Doubt's jumping is a real concern around here. KINGS PALACE appears to tick all the boxes and can make amends for a disappointing run last year at The Festival when also strongly fancied. He really attacks his fences and has already won four times at Cheltenham - the drying ground is very much in his favour.
Apache Jack (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, dropped to moderate 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in moderate 5th from 5 out, soon trailing, 5th of 6, well behind Very Wood (11-3) at Navan 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Feb.
Don Poli (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, ridden and joined last, kept on well under pressure to assert closing stages, won at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec beating Apache Stronghold (11-10) by 3l, 7 ran.
If In Doubt (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Held up behind, not fluent at times, mistake 7th, hit 10th, headway 5 out, tracked leading pair next, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, hard pressed last, ridden to assert clear final 100 yards, won at Doncaster 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Jan beating Baileys Concerto (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Kings Palace (IRE) 2-13fav (11-8) Made all, reached for 5th, hit 10th, dived badly 3 out and looked vunerable, in command approaching last, just nudged along from run-in, cleverly, won at Newbury 3m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Vivaldi Collonges (11-0) by 1l, 2 ran.
Southfield Theatre (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Made all, ridden and strongly pressed when left 1 length clear last, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb beating Melodic Rendezvous (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
The Young Master 3-1fav (10-9) Sometimes jumped left, always front rank, led 8th until next, led 3 out, clear before last, driven out, won at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Dec beating Houblon Des Obeaux (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, headed 3rd and chased leader, slight mistake 11th, soon 4th, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden and disputed before 2 out, narrow lead 2 out and mistake, asserted before last, kept on strongly, won at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan beating Rule The World (11-5) by 10l, 5 ran.
Adriana Des Mottes (FR) 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, 5th 2 out, progress to challenge approaching last, 3rd and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Apache Stronghold (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb.
The Ould Lad (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Held up in touch, raced wide, closed 5th, challenged 4 out, led next, headed soon after last, lost 2nd when no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Desert Joe (10-8) at Leicester 2m 7f nov hcap ch (3) gs in Feb.