made most, headed 8th, pushed along briefly next, led again 12th, joined 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed next. joined approaching last, headed briefly after last, disputed lead inside final furlong, rallied to lead close home
held up in 4th, close 4th 3 out, headway into 3rd travelling well next, improved to dispute lead approaching last, ridden and led briefly after last, soon joined, headed and no extra close home
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden and no impression from 4 out, eased straight, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 8th, mistake 12th and headed, disputed lead again 5 out, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one paced in moderate 3rd from 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, close 3rd 4 out, ridden after next, dropped to 4th after 2 out, no impression
ROI DU MEE won this in 2013 but pulled up last year and was out of form before landing a Listed contest at Tramore last time where he looked back to his best. He has a penalty for that latest victory but should again take care of Foildubh, who didn't enjoy the testing conditions and pulled up. My Murphy looks a threat after his excellent run in the Thyestes Chase behind Djakadam. He was fortunate to finish second but was a long way ahead of the remainder and the winner has attracted support for the Gold Cup. Jim Culloty looks to have times last year's Kim Muir winner Spring Heeled's preparation for another crack at Cheltenham to perfection. He hasn't run since a fine fourth place in the Galway Plate and may just need this to put the edge on him. Kennoway will need mishaps from his rivals to get into the action.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent 4th and 10th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, reduced lead 2 out, soon ridden to assert, awkward at last, driven out, won at Tramore 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft in Jan beating Marito (11-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Foildubh (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Settled 3rd, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear before 10th, pulled up after 11th, in a race won by Roi Du Mee (11-9) at Tramore 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Kennoway (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, dropped to rear 6th, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, 8th of 11, 42l behind Mr Shankly (9-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 in Jan.
My Murphy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, progress into 3rd before straight, mistake and ridden 3 out, no impression next, left 2nd last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 17, 8l behind Djakadam (11-10) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs hvy in Jan.
Spring Heeled (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer before 2 out, ridden last, under pressure in 4th entering straight, kept on same pace to dispute 3rd inside final furlong, just denied 3rd close home, 4th of 22, 15l behind Road To Riches (10-11) at Galway 2m 6f hcap ch gd in Jul.
