mid-division, outpaced when hit 16th, soon behind, well beaten in 7th before 2 out, stayed on under pressure before last, took 4th post, no chance with leaders
held up in touch, tracked leaders when not fluent 11th, headway after 4 out, upsides between rival pair and going well when fell 3 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders from 5th, disputed lead after 16th, led 4 out, joined next, driven and headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner in clear 2nd after
tracked leaders on outside, headway after 4 out, upsides when left sole threat next, led and went on before 2 out, in command after, driven out, stayed on well
held up behind, struggling 16th, headway under pressure after 3 out, went 3rd from next, kept on, no chance with front pair
in rear, struggling 14th, some headway under pressure 3 out, went modest 4th after next, never any chance with leaders, lost 4th post
led to 3rd, with leader, led again 1th, headed 4 out, outpaced by front trio when left 3rd next, soon ridden, lost place 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders to 7th, mid-division, struggling 13th, soon behind, no danger after
hit 1st, with leader, led narrowly 3rd, headed 16th, outpaced after 4 out, no impression with leaders before next, weakened from 2 out
NonRunner
There has only been one Irish-trained winner of the Gold Cup in the last nine years but they hold a strong hand this year, despite the defection of Vautour and the possible absence of last year's third Road To Riches. The latter is owned by Gigginstown, who also have the strongly-fancied Don Cossack and DON POLI in the line-up. Bryan Cooper has opted to ride the former, who will enjoy the better ground. He may well have won the King George at Kempton in December had he not fallen when closing on the leader two out and had a confidence-boosting victory at Thurles later. Cue Card went on to win the King George, with Smad Place finishing fourth and Irish Cavalier fifth, and Colin Tizzard's popular 10-year-old looks the best hope of another home success. He's won three times here but there is a doubt about his stamina over 3m2f in a strongly-run race and he might not get his own way out in front. We like the look of Davy Russell's mount, who may lack the class of some of these but is a resolute galloper which you often need in this. He won last year's RSA Chase and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Lexus at Leopardstown when last seen – On His Own and Carlingford Lough look held on that form. Djakadam is the supposed Mullins' first string having finished second last year but it wasn't ideal that he fell in his prep race here in January when the much-improved Smad Place jumped well and made all.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Towards rear, appeared held from 3 out until good headway straight, 3rd before last where left 2nd, soon led and stayed on best to assert, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb beating Road To Riches (11-10) by 12l, 10 ran.
Cue Card 9-2 (11-10) Close up, headway 11th, went 2nd next, switched left 14th, ridden 2 out, challenged last, driven and stayed on to lead final strides, won at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec beating Vautour (11-10) by hd, 9 ran.
Djakadam (FR) 5-6fav (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, still going well when fell 10th, at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Don Cossack (GER) 1-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, progress to dispute before 8th, headed before 4 out and reminder after 3 out, led after next and asserted approaching last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan beating Wounded Warrior (11-8) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Don Poli (IRE) 4-6fav (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out and ridden in 2nd entering straight, led before last, under pressure and edged left run-in, kept on, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec beating First Lieutenant (11-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along when blundered and lost place 5th, behind from next (water), lost touch 7th, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, lost place when mistake 5th, weakened approaching 7th, 8th of 17, 33 1/4l behind Arpege D'alene (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
On His Own (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, slightly slow 1st and soon disputed, slight mistakes 10th and 6 out, headed 4 out, left disputing and hampered 2 out, soon ridden in 3rd, stayed on to join leader last, disputed run-in and kept on well, just denied at line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Boston Bob (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Smad Place (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Led, headed narrowly 2 out (usual 3 out), regained lead approaching last, ridden clear approaching omitted last, stayed on well (3 fences omitted), won at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan beating Many Clouds (11-10) by 12l, 8 ran.
Road To Riches (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Led early, not fluent 2nd, chased leader in 3rd, tended to jump slightly left and not always fluent, on terms briefly from 10th, pushed along from 3 out, led from next, headed before last, left in lead briefly, soon headed and one pace, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
