chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, kept on without matching winner from before last
soon chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 7th, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression
waited with towards rear, slight mistake 5th, reminder after 8th in last, under pressure 10th, soon no impression
made all, soon went on, not fluent 3rd, reduced lead from 6th, went on again from 4 out, pushed along straight, stayed on best from before last
waited with towards rear, closer in 4th after 8th, pushed along after 3 out, soon no impression, not fluent last
Willie Mullins has won five of the last seven and has a strong hand again. Grade 1 winning hurdler CILAOS EMERY (NAP) is taking a step up in trip over fences to provide more options and, though not always convincing with his jumping, has already been successful at this level over fences. Paul Townend chooses him over Bachasson, whom he rode to an impressive victory over the course and distance in March when Mortal was 14 lengths behind. Snow Falcon has raced at a high level since landing a Gowran Grade 2 just over a year ago but, like Paloma Blue, will need to be at his very best against these while Alpha Des Obeaux won this in 2017 but hasn't really progressed since chasing home Kemboy two years ago.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, mistake 5th, headway 3 out, edged left final 75 yards, stayed on same pace, unable to challenge, 4th of 17, 9 1/2l behind Epatante (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Waited with, moderate 6th after 6th, took closer order approaching 11th, pushed along briefly on inner approaching 3 out where slight mistake and pushed along again, no impression when switched left between last 2, one pace, 6th of 9, 6 3/4l behind The Storyteller (11-12) at Down Royal 3m (1) Yielding in Oct.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Pushed along briefly early, led and clear, reduced lead approaching 11th, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra, last of 9, 13l behind The Storyteller (11-12) at Down Royal 3m (1) Yielding in Oct.
Bachasson (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Disputed lead, led from 6th and made rest, travelling well 2 out, went clear 2 out, pushed along before last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4f sft in Mar beating Death Duty (11-4) by 12l, 5 ran.
Mortal (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closer in 5th 6 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 4th bypassing 2 out, no impression when fell last, at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Oct.
Paloma Blue (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Slightly impeded 2nd, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along before straight, not matching winner and bad mistake 2 out, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Easy Game (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
