mid-division, went 4th at the 7th, niggled along before 3 out, not much room and switched right before 2 out, soon close up and challenging, led soon after last, stayed on strongly to draw clear final 130 yards, impressive
jumped right, pressed leader until 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, lost place 7th, well behind after 9th, pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, lost place after 5th, fell next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 7th, travelling strongly when fell 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 9th, challenged after 4 out, led off last bend, mistake and headed 2 out, 4th and beaten when jumped right last, went 3rd final 100 yards
held up towards rear, headway after 9th, hampered 4 out, going well from 3 out until led 2 out, headed soon after last, no impression on winner final 130 yards
held up in rear, hampered 6th, behind 8th, headway on outside before 3 out, 5th and well in touch when jumped right 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 6th, hampered 4 out, soon led, ridden and headed before 2 out, beaten in 3rd last, faded into 4th final 100 yards
set good gallop, clear 4th until got in very tight at the 5th, headed 7th, left in lead 4 out, soon headed, slow and lost place 3 out, weakened after, pulled up before 2 out
Willie Mullins runs both Douvan and Min as he seeks to land this Grade 1 for the first time but the former has not raced since suffering a pelvic injury when favourite for this last year and the latter found ALTIOR too good on his only previous appearance at The Festival. That was over hurdles but Nicky Henderson’s gelding is proving even better over fences and remains unbeaten after making a belated reappearance at Newbury, where he beat the race-fit Politologue on the bridle. He won the Arkle at this meeting last year and later beat defending champion Special Tiara at Sandown after putting in an exhibition round of jumping. Charbel still had every chance when falling in last year’s Arkle but he’s not been at his best in two runs this season. God's Own is running in this race for the third year running but has yet to make the frame.
Altior (IRE) 1-3fav (11-6) Jumped well, led until approaching 2nd, tracked leader until 5th, handy 3rd, 2nd travelling well approaching 2 out, upsides on bit last, nudged into lead run-in, soon clear, impressive, won at Newbury 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Politologue (11-6) by 4l, 3 ran.
Ar Mad (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Led, keen and soon 5 lengths clear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4 out, strongly challenged 3 out, headed after next, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Politologue (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Charbel (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked clear leader, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, rallied 4 out, effort 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 6, 5 1/2l behind Politologue (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Douvan (FR) 2-9fav (11-10) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, hit 3 out, lost 2nd and soon beaten, well held 2 out, 7th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Special Tiara (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
God's Own (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led on inside 4 out, headed next, lost 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Waiting Patiently (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan.
Min (FR) 11-8fav (11-10) Soon raced in moderate 3rd, progress to chase leader approaching 3 out, soon closed, travelling smoothly from before straight, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb beating Simply Ned (11-10) by 12l, 7 ran.
Ordinary World (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Soon raced in moderate 5th, moderate 4th 2 out, ridden and attempting to get to winner in 2nd when bad mistake last and almost unseated rider, no extra in 4th after, 4th of 7, 30 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Politologue (FR) 5-2 (11-6) Keen, with leader until went on approaching 2nd, fiddled 4th, pushed along after 2 out, joined last, ridden headed and easily outpaced run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Altior (11-6) at Newbury 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Special Tiara 12-1 (11-10) Soon led and clear, reduced lead 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before last where left 2nd, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, dropped to 3rd near line, 3rd of 7, 12 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
