mid-division, jumped well throughout, left in 3rd 13th, pressed leader and going easily 4 out, led before 2 out, soon went well clear on bridle, impressive
led narrowly, headed and tracked leader 10th, pushed along before 4 out, not fluent when weakening 3 out, soon beaten and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, mistake 10th and 12th, went 4th before 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out, never got on terms
mid-division, hampered 13th, pushed along 4 out, not pace to challenge from 3 out
tracked leaders going ok, bad mistake and fell 13th
close up and pestered leader early, led 10th, not fluent 5 out, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon left behind by winner, kept on one pace
raced in rear, mistake 1st, hampered 13th, struggling and pulled up after 5 out
The winner of three of the last four renewals and runner-up on the other occasion, Bristol De Mai cannot be left out of calculations. He has every chance once again but A PLUS TARD is expected to prove too good. Henry de Bromhead’s charge improved further for the fitting of a tongue-tie last season when landing a Grade 1 at Leopardstown before finishing a gallant second in the Gold Cup and can make a winning reappearance. Royale Pagaille landed the Peter Marsh over track and trip at the start of the year and goes well fresh while Next Destination proved his stamina when runner-up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in March and cheekpieces are applied on his return to action. Last year’s King George runner-up Waiting Patiently has switched yards while Imperial Aura has undergone wind surgery and there should be more to come over fences from the Grade 2 winner this season.
A Plus Tard (FR) 10-3 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 13th, mistake 16th, checked and taken back slightly before 3 out, went close 2nd final bend, 2 lengths down 2 out, stayed on well but able to get back to winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Minella Indo (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Chasing leaders when pecked 1st, lost some places next, blundered 7th (foinavon), mistake 9th (valentines), well beaten 19th, pulled up before 22nd (bechers 2nd time), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th after 9th, headway to 3rd before 3 out, lost place and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 15, 26 1/2l behind Ontheropes (11-0) at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Oct.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden home turn, left in third 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 18 1/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-0) at Wetherby 3m (1) gs in Oct.
Imperial Aura (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slow 4th, lost place 11th, slow and behind next, pulled up before 13th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Royale Pagaille (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Behind, hit 2nd, not fluent 6th, mistake 9th, switched to outside before 13th, mistake 15th, hit 18th, struggling 4 out, never any chance, 6th of 12, dist behind Minella Indo (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway from 11th, went 3rd 3 out until before 2 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Next Destination (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, close 3rd last, went and stayed on flat, not able to trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Galvin (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (1) gs in Mar.
