held up in rear and kept to outer, some headway after 3 out and went 5th next, soon pushed along and 4th before last, ridden and kept on run-in to go 2nd close home
prominent and led after 1st, headed 3 out, pushed along and lost place before next, weakened
mid-division on outer, 6th halfway, headway 3 out and progress to lead next, pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in
rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, closer before 3 out, pushed along and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra
mid-division and kept to outer, some headway 3 out and pushed along after next, no impression in 5th and not fluent last, no extra
disputed lead early, tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along before 5th, reminders after 4 out and soon no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders and kept to outer, 4th halfway, headway to lead 3 out, pushed along and headed next, ridden approaching last where not fluent, under pressure and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened in straight
mid-division on outer,some headway when slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression after next, soon no extra
towards rear, in touch when pulled up quickly after 4 out
towards rear and kept to outer, headway after 3 out and 3rd next, ridden approaching last and kept on one pace run-in
Presenting Percy won this last year before reverting to fences and landing the RSA Novices' Chase in great style at Cheltenham, which has elevated him to favouritism for the Gold Cup. Last season's victory here came on heavy ground and he arrived with three earlier runs under his belt so could just lack race sharpness. Willie Mullins has six entries and Shaneshill won this in 2017 but appears to have gone off the boil after a spell over fences as he's been beaten a very long way behind Apple's Jade in his two runs this season, as has the disappointing Bapaume. The mare LIMINI looks to have more of a chance, despite a moderate effort at Leopardstown last month, as she'll be happy on the ground and over the trip and she was in very good form on the Flat in the autumn. Coquin Mans looked a smart prospect when landing a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in April and his two later efforts were at the highest level. Gordon Elliott has four runners with Mala Beach possibly the best of them on his return to hurdling while French recruit Darasso will have come on a bundle for his run behind Bachasson at Punchestown last month.
Bapaume (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, progress into moderate 3rd 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on leader, mistake last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 7, 29 1/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Coquin Mans (FR) (10-10) at Auteuil 3m 1f (1) gd in May.
Presenting Percy 5-2fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led before next, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m sft in Mar beating Monalee (11-4) by 7l, 10 ran.
Bleu Berry (FR) (10-10) 12th of 13, 24 3/4l behind Bapaume (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 3f (1) gd in Jun.
Darasso (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along briefly at 7th, went 3rd after 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden in moderate 2nd entering straight, closer in 3rd at last, soon 2nd, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Bachasson (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in Dec.
Don Poli (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent early, chased leaders, lost place before 13th, tailed off 12th 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd early, dropped to 4th after 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 27l behind Bachasson (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in Dec.
Mala Beach (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Settled behind leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden in 2nd before next, stayed on to press leader run-in, no extra closing stages and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Sumos Novios (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Prince Of Scars (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) In rear, slight mistake 1st, slow 6th and detached, slow next, closer before 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd 2 out, soon no extra, weakened, 3rd of 4, dist behind Ball D'Arc (11-8) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Shaneshill (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, towards rear 4 out, no extra next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Limini (IRE) 8-11fav (10-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 2 out and soon pushed along in 4th, some headway in 3rd approaching last, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Good Thyne Tara (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Dortmund Park (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, slight mistake 3rd and mistake 5th, 4th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 9, dist behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
