waited with, progress after 6th, 6th at 8th, headway on outer 2 out, 3rd after 2 out, travelled well to lead narrowly before last, ridden and kept on run-in, all out, headed final strides
mid-division, 4th at 8th, 5th after 10th, dropped to rear 3 out, 7th after 2 out, weakened in 6th before last
rear, 8th after 8th, progress at 10th, headway to 4th after 13th, lost place 2 out where bad mistake and pecked, soon slightly detached, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, closed after 4 out, dropped to 3rd entering straight, ridden and ran on well to lead final strides
rear of mid-division, 5th at 8th, 4th after 10th, under pressure in 5th after 2 out, 4th last, no extra closing stages and dropped to 5th
led, not fluent at 2nd, jumped right at 9th and 12th, 2 lengths clear after 12th, reduced advantage after 4 out, headed before last, rallied run-in, kept on, dropped to 3rd close home
chased leader, 3rd at 8th, took closer order after 11th, under pressure in 4th after 2 out, 5th last, ridden and kept on to 4th closing stages
towards rear, 7th after 8th, dropped to rear at 10th, under pressure in 6th after 2 out, weakened before last
The last three winners are engaged with the most recent, A PLUS TARD, taken to enhance a superb record that see him never out of a place in 17 starts, most of them at the highest level. He had a real battle with the 2018 winner Kemboy last year before chasing home stable companion Minella Indo in the Gold Cup and cantering home in the Betfair on his reappearance last month. Kemboy reopposes but hasn't made the same kind of progress though Paul Townend picks him over last year's third Melon and stable companions Franco De Port and Janidil. Delta Work had Kemboy just behind when landing the Irish Gold Cup here last year having won this on his previous start though stable companion Galvin, beaten narrowly by Frodon when attempting a seven-timer in the Champion Chase at Down Royal, is probably the pick of his stable's entries.
A Plus Tard (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) 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, won at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gs in Nov beating Royale Pagaille (11-7) by 22l, 7 ran.
Delta Work (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Raced mainly in a share of 3rd, closed on front pair from 3 out, pushed along in close 4th before 2 out where not fluent, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 5, 5 3/4l behind Frodon (11-12) at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Oct.
Franco De Port (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Held up, progress and mistake 4 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, no extra after 2 out, 7th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Allaho (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Galvin (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Raced mainly in a share of 3rd, not fluent 1st, closed on front pair from 3 out, pushed along to challenge before next and soon disputed lead, ridden before last where not fluent, headed run-in, no extra and kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Frodon (11-12) at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Oct.
Janidil (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, progress 4 out, ridden to dispute 3rd 3 out, soon left 2nd, under pressure entering straight, pressed leader 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Allaho (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Kemboy (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, dist behind Allaho (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Melon 50-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression entering straight, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind Allaho (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Samcro (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead after 3 out, not fluent when ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Notebook (11-12) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
