in rear, never a factor, went moderate 4th from before 2 out and kept on same pace
chased leaders in 4th, slight mistake 5th, disputed 3rd from 4 out, 4th again when not fluent 3 out, weakened to rear from before next
close up in 2nd, hit 7th, on terms 5 out, led after 2 out, quickly pressed, stayed on best run-in
chased leaders in 3rd, joined for 3rd briefly from 4 out, pushed along to close approaching straight, challenged from 2 out, soon 2nd and every chance, kept on without matching winner run-in
led, joined 5 out, pushed along into straight, headed after 2 out and dropped to 3rd when not fluent last, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in
DJAKADAM (NAP) won this on his reappearance a year ago and can repeat the process. The dual Gold Cup runner-up finds this a bit on the short side and the heavy ground aided his cause last year but he has the class to complete the double. He's joined by stable companions Black Hercules, a brilliant novice last season who landed the JLT at Cheltenham on his final start and would have remained unbeaten over fences but for a fall at Navan, and Alelchi Inois, runner-up in the Galway Plate but undoubtedly fortunate to land a Grade 2 at Clonmel last time as his former stablemate Outlander was in command when falling at the last. The latter failed to concede 4lb to Sub Lieutenant in a Grade 2 at Down Royal earlier so there shouldn't be much between them on these terms.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no impression on leaders entering straight, stayed on and closer 2 out, kept on into 2nd last where left in lead, kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Nov beating Clarcam (11-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
Black Hercules (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-4) Led to after 2nd, remained prominent, challenged when mistake 3 out, soon upsides, hampered by leader next, ridden between last 2, led after last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Mar beating Bristol De Mai (11-4) by 3l, 9 ran.
Djakadam (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Held up early, closer in 3rd at 4th, challenged 3 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching 2 out, left in lead and soon strongly pressed, headed last, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Outlander (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, improved to lead entering straight, pushed along before 2 out, asserted before last and 3-length advantage when fell, at Clonmel 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, jumped well, led before 4th, joined 6th and led again 4 out, asserted after 2 out and kept on well run-in, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Outlander (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
