in rear, struggling after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, driven after 3 out, stayed on and every chance last, soon ridden, no extra in clear 3rd final 110 yards
held up behind, mistake 4 out, switched inside and headway under pressure after next, chased leading trio before 2 out, never able to challenge, held on for 4th flat
held up behind when mistake and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, in touch 8th (water), ridden after 3 out, weakened next
in touch when fell 1st
led to 1st, tracked leaders, hampered 4 out, outpaced after next, never on terms, weakened before last
held up towards rear, hampered 4 out, headway under pressure next, soon chased leading pair, challenged between horses after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly final 50 yards
led 1st, driven clear after 3 out to next, soon hard pressed, ridden last, kept on under pressure until headed narrowly and no extra final 50 yards
mid-division, hampered 4 out, driven next, stayed on to press for 4th flat, no impression with leaders
tracked leaders, close up when fell 4 out
badly hampered 1st, behind, tended to jump right from 7th, ridden and outpaced on outside after 3 out, weakened next
Irish runners have won all three previous renewals and hold a strong hand again. Willie Mullins saddles three with Ruby Walsh partnering Felix Yonger, who should appreciate the longer trip after failing to match the pace of Arkle Trophy third Trifolium at Leopardstown in January. Mozoltov overcame jumping errors to easily win a Grade 2 at Naas last month but will need to jump better here. Djakadam also won a Grade 2 last time but there might be a doubt about him handling this quicker surface. Oscar Whisky was a classy hurdler and beat Taquin Du Seuil over a slightly longer trip here in January but the result may have been different had the runner-up not pecked on landing after jumping the last. Wonderful Charm's connections will also fancy their charge's chances of reversing recent course form with the Henderson runner on much better terms. Double Ross has won a couple of big handicaps here this season and was placed over hurdles at The Festival last year but we might take a chance on the five-year-old VUKOVAR. Harry Fry's French import was very impressive when stepped up in distance at Newbury last time and has plenty of scope for further improvement.
Captain Ocana (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along 10f out, driven over 2f out, never on terms, 9th of 14, 23l behind Zulu Oscar (11-2) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Feb.
Double Ross (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Mistake 1st, with leader, led narrowly before 2 out, headed last, soon ridden, kept on and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4 out, soon struggling, slightly hampered 2 out, disputed moderate 2nd at last, soon in pursuit of winner and no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Trifolium (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) hvy in Jan.
Mozoltov 2-13fav (11-5) Made all, bad mistake 1st, soon well clear, jumped slightly left 2 out, left again and mistake last, stayed on well run-in, unchallenged, won at Naas 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) in Feb beating Folsom Blue (11-5) by 35l, 3 ran.
Off The Ground (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, went 3rd before 10th, led 3 out, clear before 2 out, ran on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Dec beating Tahiti Pearl (10-11) by 9l, 7 ran.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 1-6fav (11-4) Tracked leader until 3rd, not fluent and lost a few lengths on front pair 8th, not fluent 4 out, closed and went 2nd next, slightly hampered 2 out, ridden to lead last, driven clear, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) hvy in Feb beating Manyriverstocross (11-4) by 9l, 3 ran.
Sizing Gold (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Chased leader, closed up 9th, improved to be on terms before straight, headed between last 2, no extra run-in, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Foxrock (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 8-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th and in rear, went 3rd from 7th, led 5 out, clear when blundered 2 out, jumped left last, kept on well, won at Haydock 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Coverholder (11-4) by 17l, 4 ran.
Uxizandre (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) In rear, headway before 7 out, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Persian Snow (10-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Feb.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 5-4 (11-8) Chased leader, closed 2 out, challenged last, ridden flat, kept on but always just held by winner, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
Djakadam (FR) 6-4fav (10-8) Chased leader, led 5th, headed 7 out, mistake 4 out, challenged from next, ridden in close 2nd entering straight, joined leader last, soon led and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan beating Bright New Dawn (11-5) by 4l, 4 ran.
Vukovar (FR) 4-6fav (10-8) Mostly jumped well, made all, clear 5th (water), went right 9th, came further clear before 4 out, blundered next, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Open Hearted (11-7) by 21l, 4 ran.
