led early, headed 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 4th, slight mistake 6th and soon dropped well behind leading 2, mistake 7th, dropped to remote last at 9th, no impression from 4 out
always prominent and jumped well, led from 2nd, went clear after halfway, reduced advantage 2 out and soon ridden, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
held up in last, moderate last halfway, went remote 3rd at 9th, no impression on leaders from 4 out, kept on one paced in moderate 3rd straight
raced 3rd early and took keen hold, went 2nd from 4th, adrift of leader 4 out, closed on leader after 3 out, ridden next, improved to lead at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
Down In New Orleans is unbeaten in four starts over fences and looked potentially top-class when easily beating Rivage D'Or in October 2012, though this ground will test his stamina after such a long lay-off. Roi Du Mee is in the Grand National so should be at his peak and he's been performing at this sort of level for a very long time with a Grade 1 success over Sizing Europe at Down Royal the highlight. It looked a bit optimistic to send Baily Green for the Champion Chase but he was in touch and travelling nicely when falling four out and may have been placed behind Sire De Grugy. BOG WARRIOR looked just the type to make a top chaser when landing a Grade 1 novice chase at Fairyhouse in 2011 and competed a hat-trick over hurdles last January. His two recent runs have been poor but he's much better than that and is taken to bounce back receiving weight from his three rivals.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, mistake 5th and headed, weakened to rear from 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by On His Own (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb, 7 ran.
Baily Green (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in touch in mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway when not fluent 8th, tracking leaders and going ok when fell 4 out, in a race won by Sire De Grugy (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd, 11 ran.
Down In Neworleans (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out and pecked on landing, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Oct '12 beating Rivage D'Or (11-5) by 7l, 7 ran.
Bog Warrior (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led and soon clear, jumped slightly left throughout, reduced advantage 9th, clear again briefly before 12th, challenged 3 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra before 2 out where dropped to moderate 4th, 4th of 5, 26l behind Yes Tom (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs.
