with leader, led 2nd, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, narrow lead when got in tight, stumbled and unseated rider 9th
held up in rear, headway going well on outside 9th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, asserting last, came well clear flat, easily
led until 2nd, 2nd until 4th, stayed handy, led 3 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, soon 3rd and no impression
towards rear on outside, closed 4th, left 2nd 9th, challenged 4 out until 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner but kept on well
chased leaders, outpaced from 4 out, well held 3 out, modest 4th before 2 out
never going well towards rear, not fluent 6th, soon last, pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, left in lead 9th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
NonRunner
The last two winners of this, Politologue and the mare Put The Kettle On, are back for more but it’s difficult to see either of them being involved at the business end this year in one of the meeting’s most eagerly-awaited contests. Chacun Pour Soi was a hot favourite 12 months ago but only managed third behind Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra and still hasn’t won outside of Ireland since joining Willie Mullins. His stablemate Energumene jumped superbly and did everything he could to get SHISHKIN (NAP) off the bridle in the Clarence House at Ascot in January but he had no answer as Nicky Henderson’s top two-miler clicked into overdrive having jumped the last and the latter, who won the Arkle here last year in a canter, can extend his unbeaten record. Envoi Allen seeks a third win at The Festival and could run into a place but Game Spirit winner Funambule Sivola could struggle in this grade.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Led, headed before 2nd, led narrowly before 5th, not fluent at 7th, increased advantage before last, clear run-in, kept on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb beating Dunvegan (11-12) by 12l, 5 ran.
Energumene (FR) 5-4 (11-7) Led, over 1 length ahead jumping 2 out, 2 lengths clear at the last, reduced lead and ridden run-in, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Shishkin (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Envoi Allen (FR) 2-5fav (12-0) Prominent and led after 2nd, headed briefly after 4th, slight mistake 2 out and joined, pushed along and led again early straight, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec beating Battleoverdoyen (12-0) by 7 1/2l, 3 ran.
Funambule Sivola (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Mostly jumped well, made all, hit 6th, quickened and came clear 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m (1) gs in Feb beating Sceau Royal (11-6) by 2l, 4 ran.
Politologue (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Led, bad mistake 4 out, soon recovered, joined 2 out, headed soon after, 2 lengths down last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Nube Negra (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Shishkin (IRE) 5-6fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, bad stumble next, lost 2nd at 8th, went 2nd again before 3 out, over 1 length down next, 2 lengths down last, challenged out wide run-in, ridden and stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Ascot 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan beating Energumene (11-7) by 1l, 4 ran.
Put The Kettle On (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In touch in last on outer, went 4th at 7th, 3rd and pushed along next, dropped to 4th 4 out, soon ridden, last and trailing 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Mount Ida (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Jan.
Nube Negra (SPA) 4-1 (11-7) Bit keen, chased leaders on inside, not fluent 5th, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous after, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Greaneteen (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
