led until 1st, chased winner, pushed along after 3 out, no impression before 2 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd flat, no extra
held up in touch on outside, rider lost right iron briefly 4 out, close enough 3 out, soon pushed along and beaten, well held when landed awkwardly last, closed on 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 4th, mistake 4 out, pushed along after next, ridden and hanging left before last, no impression on winner
made virtually all, clear before 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven flat, unchallenged
held up in last, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, well behind 2 out, tailed off
NonRunner
NonRunner
Altior, the winner in the last two years, has been declared to run but whether he’ll making the starting line-up depends on his powers of recovery as he was lame at the weekend. Had he been fully fit, he would have been the selection but, in the circumstances, it may be wise to look elsewhere. Defi Du Seuil is 3-3 from this season winning both the Tingle Creek, when Politologue was well behind, and the Clarence House. He won the JLT at last year’s Festival and has developed into a smart two-miler but Dynamite Dollars could be interesting as he will have come on a bundle for his run behind Altior and Sceau Royal in the Game Spirit. CHACUN POUR SOI was beaten by A Plus Tard on his reappearance but that one is a hot favourite for tomorrow’s Ryanair. Willie Mullins’ charge looked much fitter when pushed clear to beat Min in last month’s Dublin Chase and he trounced Defi Du Seuil at Punchestown when they last met.
Bun Doran (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Led until fell 3rd (water), at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 11-10jfav (11-7) Chased leader, led 2 out, soon clear and edged right, easily, won at Ascot 2m 1f (1) hvy in Jan beating Un De Sceaux (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dynamite Dollars (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Tracking leaders when left in 2nd place 3rd, led next, headed and not pace of winner run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Altior (11-6) at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Politologue (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, driven and lost place after 3 out, soon outpaced, never able to get back on terms, 5th of 8, 18l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Sceau Royal (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, badly hampered on inside and left in 4th place 3rd (water), challenged in close 3rd last, not pace of winner but went 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Altior (11-6) at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Altior (IRE) 1-3fav (11-6) Bit keen, held up tracking leaders, left tracking leading pair 3rd, travelling well 3 out, upsides last, ridden to lead run-in, soon comfortably clear, won at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Sceau Royal (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 6-5fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 6th, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, soon led, ridden clear before last, slight mistake at last, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb beating Min (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
