tracked leaders, disputed lead after 5 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on, held towards finish
mid-division on outside, outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, weakened next
held up behind, mistake 5th, hit 8th, struggling 11th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up towards rear, driven and outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, never able to get on terms with leaders
mid-division, steady headway 3 out, shaken up to chase leaders before next, ridden and unable to quicken between last 2, weakened last
led, big jump 12th, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to regain lead flat, all out near finish
tracked leaders, driven and effort before 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression in 4th from last
tracked leaders on outside, blundered 3 out, driven before next, soon ridden to chase front pair, kept on but no impression flat
early reminders, pressed winner, driven and lost place after 5 out, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, lost place before 4 out, soon behind and struggling, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up behind, blundered 5 out, never threatened leaders, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up mid-division, headway when not much room on inside before 4 out, effort before 2 out, ridden and unable to go with leaders between last 2, well held from last
Balko Des Flos won this last year but has not been in the same form since and this year’s renewal looks a stronger contest. Un De Sceaux was runner-up 12 months ago but is now an 11-year-old and 2m4f on soft going may be too much for him nowadays. Willie Mullins also runs Footpad but last year’s Arkle winner has not kicked on this season as expected and his latest second to Simply Ned at Leopardstown seems to fall well short of the form that will be required to win this. Monalee finished second in the RSA Chase here a year ago and got back to winning ways in a Grade 2 at Gowran so may prove the pick of the Irish challengers this time though The Storyteller, who the handicap on this card 12 months ago, is a consistent sort dropping back in trip who could outrun his odds even though he’s finished behind Road To Respect the last twice – the latter seems better over 3m nowadays. FRODON had a Gold Cup entry after winning the Cotwold Chase here in January but connections have opted to go for this instead and that could prove the correct decision. The seven-year-old jumps for fun around here and the ground has come right for Bryony Frost’s mount, who will have plenty of these on the stretch if allowed to bowl along in front unchallenged. Terrefort was a bit better last time but still hasn’t recaptured last season’s smart novice form.
Aso (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, pecked 8th, pushed along before 13th, weakened next, last of 6, 29l behind Cyrname (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Feb.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last, 9th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Charbel (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased winner who soon went clear, jumped left 4th, lost 2nd and weakened soon after 3 out, blundered next, 5th of 6, 22l behind Cyrname (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Feb.
Coney Island (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden before last, 4th and mistake last, no extra run-in, 7th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Footpad (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 3 out, on terms straight, led approaching last, soon attempted to assert and went on, kept on same pace closing stages and headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Simply Ned (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.
Frodon (FR) 9-4 (11-6) Jumped well, made all, 3 lengths clear 2 out, reduced lead towards finish, held on gamely, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gs in Jan beating Elegant Escape (11-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Monalee (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Made all, pushed along and went clear 2 out, ridden at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Feb beating Anibale Fly (11-3) by 2l, 4 ran.
Road To Respect (IRE) 5-6fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped left at 1st, mistake at 7th, led 9th, mistake next and joined briefly next, joined 3 out, pushed along and led entering straight, ridden at last, strongly pressed and joined close home, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 4, shd behind Bellshill (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Feb.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led, ridden entering straight, strongly pressed run-in, headed on line, 2nd of 7, shd behind Tout Est Permis (11-3) at Thurles 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Terrefort (FR) 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 2nd, not fluent next, pecked 13th, not fluent 16th, mistake next, ridden before 2 out, headed last, easily outpaced, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Clan Des Obeaux (11-6) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Feb.
The Storyteller (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, disputed 3rd from 5th, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 4, 7 1/2l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Feb.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, led after 5th, challenged 2 out, headed before last, soon rallied, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
