chased leaders in 4th, bad mistake and unseated rider 5 out
always behind, lost touch halfway, completely tailed off
slight mistake 1st, soon led and disputed, close 2nd from 9th, pushed along 5 out, ridden in 3rd 4 out, soon no extra, moderate 4th when fell 2 out
held up in 6th, 5th at 9th, pushed along 5 out when left 4th, ridden and no impression 4 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, closed last and slight mistake, stayed on run-in to lead close home
chased leaders in 5th, 6th at 9th, dropped off 7 out, soon no impression and trailing, completely tailed off
close up and disputed, slight mistake 8th, narrow lead from 9th, disputed from 4 out, narrow lead again 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, headed close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and soon ridden in close 2nd, no extra from last
Sizing Europe was beaten 4l by Kauto Star in this a year ago and the brilliant champion two-miler has never convinced when tackling this sort of trip, especially on sticky ground. Rubi Light would have easily beaten Henry De Bromhead's star when both reappeared at Gowran but fell at the last. He's a rapidly improver type with fitness guaranteed and looks certain to go well. Bostons Angel was last season's great improver with three Grade 1's to his credit. He had Quito De La Roque just behind in the Fort Leney at Leopardstown in December and the pair look certain to be at the forefront in all the major staying chases this campaign. The Nightingale easily beat the useful Roberto Goldback in the Grade 2 over 2m4f on this card a year ago but pulled up when tackling 3m in the King George. He'll be primed for this but it's another raider, MIDNIGHT CHASE, who gets the vote. Neil Mullholland's charge is a Cheltenham specialist having won three times there last season and it was his excellent run in the Gold Cup that points to his chances as his front-running style is made for this track.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, left in lead 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed challenging, regained lead flat, all out, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Jessies Dream (11-4) by nk, 12 ran.
Coolcashin (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Soon raced last of the 4 until moderate 2nd 5 out, closed approaching straight and ridden, no impression from before 2 out, left 2nd from last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Midnight Chase 9-1 (11-10) Led to 12th, tracked leaders, pushed along 14th, lost place 16th, outpaced 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 13, 20l behind Long Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Always prominent, jumped slightly left throughout, left in front 11th, ridden clear entering straight, kept on well from last, won at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in May beating Western Charmer (11-10) by 14l, 8 ran.
Rare Bob (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, joined 10th, headed 6 out, led again after 4 out, headed entering straight, soon no impression and dropped to 3rd, no extra after 2 out, left moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Follow The Plan (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gd in May.
Sizing Europe (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Took a couple of fences to warm to his jumping, soon raced in 3rd, 2nd when slight mistake 6 out, moderate 3rd from next, slightly slow jump 4 out, closed up from before straight, no impression from before 2 out, left in lead last, stayed on, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft in Oct beating Coolcashin (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
The Nightingale (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 8th and 10th, outpaced 5 out, weakend from next, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Long Run (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs G1 (1) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
