tracked leaders in 5th, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, challenged 2 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace flat, no impression
mid-division, mistake 6th, hit 9th, headway under pressure when went 3rd after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never on terms
held up in last trio, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, driven and kept on same pace approaching last, never reached leaders
held up in last trio, headway on outside after 4 out, effort and every chance next until ridden and outpaced 2 out, weakened last
led to 7th (water), with winner, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced weakened from next
held up mid-division on outside, headway 4 out, challenged next, 2 lengths down in 3rd and driven when blundered badly and lost place 2 out, not recover, beaten when eased before last
pressed leader, led 7th (water), made rest, driven and pressed before 2 out, ridden and stayed on well to go clear flat
tracked leaders on outside, chased winner 4 out, mistake and lost place next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure to chase leaders on inside before 2 out, no impression flat
mid-division on inside, lost place after 4 out, headway under pressure after next, 7 lengths down in 9th when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
The ground is surely the key here as Master Minded was well beaten on good ground last year when attempting a hat-trick in the race. His three victories this season have come on good to soft going and provided there is some juice in the ground he should be at home in the conditions. His short-head success over Somersby in the Victor Chandler at Ascot owed much to his idling in front after going well ahead on the far side of the track and allowing Henrietta Knight's charge to nearly snatch the spoils. BIG ZEB produced the run of his life to win this a year ago when he jumped superbly and loved the good ground. His latest defeat by Golden Silver should not be taken too literally and he should have no problems from Willie Mullins' charge but Sizing Europe is another matter. Arkle winners have an excellent record in this race and, though Henry De Bromhead's charge has been beaten four times since his brilliant success over Somersby a year ago including twice by Golden Silver, he's been primed for this and the going has come right for him. Woolcombe Folly, well beaten in the Arkle, has improved this season but is yet to convince at anywhere near this level.
Big Zeb (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Settled in 4th, improved into 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, strongly pressed from last, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and no impression from 2 out, kept on same, last of 4, 9l behind Big Zeb (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Cornas (NZ) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, outpaced 5 out, 5th and beaten when hit next, soon weakened, last of 7, 39l behind French Opera (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
French Opera 7-2 (11-5) Led to 5th, tracked leader, led again narrowly 5 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well flat, won at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Tchico Polos (11-6) by 6l, 7 ran.
Golden Silver (FR) 2-13fav (11-12) Settled close up in 3rd, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, led early run-in and effortlessly stretched clear, very easily, won at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb beating Made In Taipan (11-10) by 7l, 3 ran.
I'm So Lucky 33-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, led again approaching 8th, headed after next, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Master Minded (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Jan.
Mad Max (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching 8th, rallied next, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Master Minded (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Jan.
Master Minded (FR) 4-7fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led approaching 9th, driven 2 out, weakening when strongly challenged closing stages, just held on, won at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Jan beating Somersby (11-7) by shd, 9 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, close 2nd after 5 out, slight mistake 4 out, driven along after 3 out, no impression after 2 out, 3rd and no extra approaching last, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Somersby (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Master Minded (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Jan.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to go 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, led before last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec beating Tanks For That (10-7) by 6l, 13 ran.
