chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 9th, led before 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, under pressure in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, just held for 2nd
held up towards rear, ridden in 6th and no impression 5 out, kept on one pace straight
tracked leader in 2nd, close up 5 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching 3 out, led 3 out, ridden before next, kept on strongly from last
led, disputed from 9th, ridden and headed before 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, 5th 6 out, ridden and no impression before 4 out where bad mistake, weakened
slow 1st and 2nd, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd travelling well 4 out, ridden 3 out, no impression on leader in 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, just held 2nd run-in
settled behind leaders in 5th early, mistake 7th, soon dropped towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
KAUTO STAR had a canter round to land this big prize in 2008 but this looks slightly tougher with the classy pair Sizing Europe and China Rock in opposition. The 2007/2009 Gold Cup winner has won 16 of his 24 starts over fences and his only real blips have come when his jumping have let him down, as they did in the Cheltenham classic in March. He's reported fit enough for his reappearance and should give the huge crowd a thrill though any problems with the fences may hand the initiative to the very progressive China Rock, who had seven lengths to spare over Sizing Europe at Punchestown and should confirm the form over the Arkle winner, who didn't look at home over the longer trip.
China Rock (IRE) 6-4 (11-8) Made all, mistake 4th, edged clear 4 out, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 7f chs Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct beating Sizing Europe (11-10) by 7l, 4 ran.
Coolcashin (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, headway into 5th halfway, went 4th approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd at last, kept on well run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind China Rock (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1) in Oct.
Kauto Star (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, blundered and lost place 8th, remained in touch, reminder 15th, disputing close up 4th when fell 4 out, in a race won by Imperial Commander (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Killyglen (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, on terms 7th, led after 4 out, strongly pressed and joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Silverhand (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Oct.
Mossbank (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway to 5th 5 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace, mistake last, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Neptune Collonges (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) fm in Apr '08.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Settled 3rd, not fluent early, 2nd from 6 out, outpaced after 4 out, driven along next, some progress approaching 2 out, no impression from before last, 2nd of 4, 7l behind China Rock (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 7f chs Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Trafford Lad 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, close up from 3 out, 2nd before straight, on terms last, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Tranquil Sea (11-1) at Naas 2m chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct '09.