led to 6th, tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led again briefly before last, soon ridden and not quicken, kept on but always held by front pair flat
held up in touch, smooth headway 3 out, chased leaders when switched towards inside and ridden before last, led flat, held on well under pressure towards finish
tracked leaders on outside, outpaced after 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on into 4th flat, not trouble leading trio
tracked leaders on inside, readily outpaced and well held after 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, no chance with leaders
tracked leaders on inside, fell 5th
pressed leader, led 6th, ridden and headed when blundered last, soon no extra, weakened flat
tracked leaders, driven and readily outpaced after 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, no chance with leaders
held up in touch, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on to lead before last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, held near finish
held up in touch in rear, hampered 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off next, pulled up before last
The brilliant Quevega won this six times between 2009 and 2014 and Willie Mullins also took the prize in 2015 and 2016 with Glens Melody and Vroum Vroum Mag. But Gordon Elliott’s APPLE'S JADE broke the monopoly last year and has won three Grade 1 contests since. She's taken the scalps of Supasundae and Nicholls Canyon this campaign and is impossible to oppose as she also had Jer's Girl two lengths behind at Navan in November though Gavin Cromwell's mare, herself a dual Grade 1 winner, was travelling well when falling three out in this last year. Benie Des Dieux is unbeaten over fences since joining the Mullins team but her form over hurdles in France does not compare favourably. The home team look very much up against it but La Bague Au Roi has done nothing wrong this season, beating Jer's Girl and Midnight Tour at Kempton in November, and can make the frame.
Apple's Jade (FR) 4-6fav (11-3) Soon disputed lead, led from 3rd, joined next, headed 5th and raced in 2nd, on terms at final hurdle, soon narrowly headed, stayed on well final furlong to lead near line, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Supasundae (11-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Benie Des Dieux (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leaders early, took keen hold and improved to dispute lead at 3rd, headed 6th, progress to lead after 4 out, joined travelling well 2 out, ridden at last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Naas 2m lst (1) hvy in Feb beating Asthuria (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Indian Stream 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Newbury 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Jer's Girl (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, challenging next, led after last, hard ridden, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind La Bague Au Roi (11-2) at Kempton 3m lst (1) gs in Nov.
Kayf Grace 8-1cfav (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out, 12th of 24, 33 3/4l behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 8-11fav (11-4) Jumped well, raced wide, tracked leading pair, tracked clear leader 2nd, closed 6th led before 4 out, clear next, stayed on strongly, very easily, won at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Jan beating Sainte Ladylime (11-0) by 16l, 5 ran.
Midnight Jazz 9-4fav (11-0) Close up, led before 2 out, ridden before and headed last, weakened run-in, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Woolstone One (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Feb.
Midnight Tour 5-2 (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, kept on to take 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Woolstone One (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Feb.
Pravalaguna (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Soon raced in 4th, closer in 3rd 3 out where not fluent, pushed along and one pace straight until headway to chase winner run-in and no impression, dropped to 4th and no extra closing stages, 4th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Meri Devie (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
