waited with, slightly impeded 3rd, soon closed travelling smoothly, slight mistake 4 out, on terms after 3 out, led before 2 out where slight mistake, asserted and stayed on well run-in
waited with, 5th approaching 5th, closed and hit 7th, prominent and travelling smoothly from before straight, pushed along to chase winner from 2 out, effort and slight mistake last, no extra and one pace run-in
soon raced in 4th, slightly impeded 3rd, soon closed, pecked 6th, on terms after 4 out, led 3 out, soon joined, headed before 2 out, no extra approaching last in 3rd
waited with, soon in rear, mistake 4 out, soon no impression
soon led, slight mistake 7th, joined after 4 out, headed 3 out, soon no impression, no extra and not fluent 2 out, soon pulled up
close up, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
close up, mistake 3rd, soon lost position, no impression after 3 out, jumped left last
Paul Townend was on board when DUC DES GENIEVRES beat Us And Them 13 lengths in the Arkle at Cheltenham when Ornua fell at the sixth when leading. The winner is improving rapidly and will be difficult to beat though Defi Du Seuil arrives in top form having won the JLT over 2m4f at the Festival. The latter, a triple Grade 1 winner at the minimum trip over hurdles, shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop back in trip and it should be a cracking race between the pair. Chacun Pour Soi, who arrived from France with a big reputation and could hardly have been more impressive in a beginners' chase at Naas, is a fascinating contender. Yet another Willie Mullins entry, Voix Du Reve, was closing when falling three out in the JLT then made amends in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 though he may prefer further.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 4-9fav (11-12) Made all, jumped well, 6 lengths clear halfway, extended advantage before 3 out and in command in straight, kept on well, very easily, won at Naas 2m Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Portmore Lough (11-12) by 31l, 11 ran.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up in touch, went 2nd at 11th until before 3 out, tracked front pair, driven after next, rallied and almost upsides last, ridden to lead flat, asserted near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar beating Lostintranslation (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd 9th, led 3 out, clear next, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Us And Them (11-4) by 13l, 12 ran.
Duca De Thaix (FR) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st and reminder, 2nd halfway, mistake 4 out and dropped to rear, weakened, left remote 3rd at last, 3rd of 4, dist behind Cubomania (11-6) at Thurles 2m 2f lst (1) gd in Mar.
Ornua (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-4) Made all, 3 lengths clear last, driven out towards finish, won at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr beating Us And Them (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Us And Them (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-4) Always prominent, slightly outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to take 2nd last 75 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Ornua (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 9-4 (11-10) 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, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Real Steel (11-10) by 5 1/2l, 5 ran.
