tracked leaders, headway into 2nd briefly after 11th, pushed along and no impression in 4th 3 out, soon no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, slight mistakes 5th and 7th, headway into 2nd 4 out and travelled well to lead next, clear after 2 out and stayed on well, easily
tracked leaders, dropped to rear 11th, pushed along and fell next
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and lost place after 11th, reminders before 4 out and no extra from 3 out, weakened
led, pushed along and headed 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner from next, kept on one pace
A fine renewal of this Grade 1 with last year's winner Outlander back for another crack. He had ROAD TO RESPECT just behind in second a year ago and has a fitness advantage after finishing second to Sub Lieutenant at Punchestown but the runner-up made progress later, beating Gordon Elliott's charge into third in the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown when Balko Des Flos split the pair. The latter beat Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair at Cheltenham so is an obvious danger while the progressive Woodland Opera may prove best of Jessica Harrington's pair having won a Grade 2 by 10 lengths while it wouldn't be a shock to see Don Poli run a big race after a long absence as he was only just behind Sizing John when third in the Irish Gold Cup when last seen in February last year.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Led, clear 2nd until 7th, jumped right 9th, joined 3 out, soon headed, not fluent 2 out, lost 3rd and weakened soon after, 4th of 6, 33 1/4l behind Politologue (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Outlander (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in close 3rd, 2nd at 8th, improved to dispute lead at 11th, headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Sub Lieutenant (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Oct.
Road To Respect (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, inclined to jump left, 6th from 6th, closed and not fluent 3 out, 4th approaching straight, kept on without matching 1st 2 from after 2 out, 3rd of 12, 8 3/4l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Disputed lead, headed 6th, 3rd at 8th, pushed along briefly at 11th, disputed lead 13th, headed next, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, 16 1/2l behind Sub Lieutenant (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Oct.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Disputed lead, led from 6th, joined again 11th, led 5 out, pushed along and went clear 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Oct beating Outlander (11-10) by 9l, 4 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Made all, clear 3rd until 6th, pushed along after 3 out and slight mistake next, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct beating Jury Duty (11-8) by 10l, 7 ran.
Don Poli (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Close up, on terms from 4th, slight lead 11th, pressed from before straight, headed at last, dropped to 3rd and kept on without matching 1st 2 close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
