chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 4f out, led 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, easily
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 4f out, ridden and no extra in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, weakened 5f out, completely tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened over 4f out, completely tailed off
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 5f out, soon no extra and weakened, completely tailed off
towards rear for most, never a factor, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway into 6th entering straight, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway into 4th 4f out, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no impression leader in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway into 5th 4f out, ridden and no extra 2f out, kept on one pace
Don Cossack looked to have been set a huge amount to do when attempting a double at Navan in December but came with a storming late run to catch Rory O'Moore and will make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick though MORNING ROYALTY looks the one to be on. Willie Mullins' charge sauntered home on heavy ground at Punchestown so it was a bit of a shock when beaten comfortably by Moscow Mannon at Gowran but the winner ran a respectable race in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and the form looks rock solid. Gold Ability came good at the fourth attempt at Downpatrick though he appeared to need every yard of the 2m2f trip so it's Sword Of Honour who could provide the main threat as he was a very impressive winner on his debut at Killarney in August and could be anything.
Don Cossack (GER) 4-6fav (11-11) Soon tracked clear leader, more than 1/2 furlong behind leader at halfway, huge amount to do entering straight and soon hard ridden, closed to 12L 2nd 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong to lead close home, won at Navan 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec beating Rory O'Moore (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gold Ability (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, narrow lead inside final furlong and kept on well under pressure, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gd in Mar beating Pontificating (11-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Led and clear at stages, reduced lead from over 6f out, strongly pressed and joined from under 2f out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Moscow Mannon (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m N H flat sft in Jan.
Peace In The West (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to lead over 2f out, kept on well to draw clear final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m N H flat sft in Mar beating Mister Hotelier (11-9) by 6l, 14 ran.
Starkie 5-2 (11-8) Prominent, improved to lead on inner entering straight, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure from 1 1/2f out, won at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat hvy in Feb beating Peking To Paris (12-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Sword Of Honour (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd straight, led over 2f out, quickly clear, very easily, won at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo nhf gs in Aug beating Stormy Oscar (11-2) by 9l, 12 ran.
Fayette County (IRE) Golden Lariat gelding out of Midsyn Lady.
Seefood (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Waited with towards rear, went moderate 5th and kept on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 26l behind Inis Meain (11-4) at Thurles 2m 5yo mdn hdl in Feb.
Twelve Gold Bars (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Saucy Gale.
Twice Returned (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Almost Regal.
Elsie (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Ran loose before start, waited with towards rear, progress to track leaders approaching straight, soon chased winner and no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Champagne Fever (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat sft in Jan.
Emily O (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, good headway approaching straight to go 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression on winner final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Kates Benefit (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m mrs N H flat in Feb.
