raced keenly, in touch on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression last, well held flat, kept on
made most until 3 out, hampered final bend, 3rd and no extra 2 out, weakened last, lost 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, dropped to rear 2nd, hit 6th, left 4th 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
travelled strongly in 2nd, jumped right at times, challenged 6th, led and not fluent 3 out, clear last, impressive
in touch on outside, fell 3rd
chased leaders, bad mistake and lost place 4 out, well beaten 3 out, mistake last, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, closed on outside 6th, lost place before 4 out, well behind 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Nube Negra hasn’t had much racing since runner-up in this two years ago. However, he’s been beaten by Greaneteen on the last two occasions that they’ve met and was no match for Editeur Du Gite in the Desert Orchid at Kempton over Christmas, though ahead of Funambule Sivola. EDWARDSTONE (NAP), who won the Arkle here last year, unseated his rider in that race when tracking the leaders and was then foiled by the late rally of Gary Moore’s star chaser in the Clarence House here in January but expect Tom Cannon to try and delay his challenge a little longer today. Energumene broke Willie Mullins’ duck in this contest last year but was only third in the Clarence House having won a Cork Grade 2 on his return to action. Captain Guinness is useful and consistent but looks held by a couple of these on the form book.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway to lead halfway, pushed along after 2 out and headed approaching last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Blue Lord (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Editeur Du Gite (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Led, 3 lengths clear after 2 out, reduced lead last, headed flat, rallied gamely to lead again close home, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Edwardstone (11-10) by hd, 6 ran.
Edwardstone 5-2 (11-10) Held up in last pair, switched right and headway before 2 out, went 2nd last, led flat, headed close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind Editeur Du Gite (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Energumene (FR) 4-9fav (11-10) Held up in touch behind leaders, went 3rd 3 out, chased winner 2 out until mistake last, well held in 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Editeur Du Gite (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Funambule Sivola (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Made all, joined but going best 3 out, in command next, kept up to work and came readily clear run-in, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Elixir De Nutz (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Greaneteen (FR) 1-2fav (11-8) Raced keenly in close 3rd out wide, went 2nd 5 out, joined winner next, hung left and no impression 2 out, dropped to 3rd at the last, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Funambule Sivola (11-8) at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Nube Negra (SPA) 4-1 (11-8) Raced wide, waited with in rear, gained a place at 4th, headway out wide tracking leaders before 4 out, 3rd when hit next, ridden and went 2nd 2 out, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Editeur Du Gite (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
