settled behind leaders in 3rd, fell 4 out
led, pressed 6 out, joined 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 4th when mistake 3 out and collided with hindquarters of rival, no extra before next, weakened
held up in 4th, improved into 2nd 3 out and bumped in hindquarters, ridden next, no impression on winner last, kept on same pace
chased leader, slight mistake 1st, close up and pressed leader 6 out, disputed 4 out, led entering straight, ridden 2 out, kept on well from last
held up in rear, slight mistake 6th, ridden into 3rd entering straight, no impression before 2 out, no extra before last and weakened
Al Boum Photo won this a year ago and Willie Mullins is double-handed this time. Ruby is on board VOIX DU REVE (NAP), who has been unlucky not to be involved in finishes in Grade 1 contests at Leopardstown and Cheltenham the last twice. His stable companion Real Steel would have finished behind him at Cheltenham after easy victories against lesser opposition while Mengli Khan has now been placed in three Grade 1 races but may not have beaten the selection at Cheltenham. Winter Escape is tasked with beating the Mullins/Elliott quartet and he looked a likely Grade 1 winner after completing a hat-trick but broke a blood vessel in the Flogas at Leopardstown.
Cubomania (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) won at Thurles 2m 2f lst (1) gd in Mar beating Jetz (11-9) by 22l, 4 ran.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) 3rd of 6, 3l behind Kalashnikov (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Real Steel (FR) 13-2 (11-4) 6th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 9-1 (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Winter Escape (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) 5th of 6, 9 1/2l behind La Bague Au Roi (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) gd in Feb.
