tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th 4 out, no impression from next
led, pushed along 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed when mistake 2 out, soon headed and dropped to 3rd, kept on in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, ridden entering straight, led narrowly after 2 out, joined and mistake at last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
held up in rear, no impression and detached from 5 out, never a factor
held up in 5th, dropped to last at 3rd, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened from 7th, behind when pulled up before 10th
held up in last, closer in 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon 2nd, improved to dispute lead at last, stayed on well run-in and edged ahead close home
Coneygree's reappearance adds lustre to this small-but-select field as Mark Bradstock's 10-year-old is lightly-raced for his age and should be at his peak. His one-and-a-half-length victory over Djakadam in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup was, of course, the highlight of his injury-plagued career and if back to that form he would have an outstanding chance. The latter finished runner-up to Don Cossack at Cheltenham the following year but couldn't quite match that form when only fourth behind SIZING JOHN this time around. Jessica Harrington's charge spent most of his early career chasing Douvan around over two miles but has improved out of all recognition since stepped up in trip and should be even better suited by today's slightly shorter distance so has to be the selection. Outlander twice beat Djakadam earlier in the campaign but couldn't go the pulsating pace set by Champagne West in the big one and both will need much more to get into contention while the veteran Flemenstar is better over shorter on softer ground.
Champagne West (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, led until hit 2nd, prominent, led 7th, headed 15th, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 13, 27 1/4l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
Coneygree 2-1 (11-7) Led to 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and always well held by winner, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Haydock 3m (1) hvy in Nov.
Djakadam (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders going well, switched right before 16th, close 2nd 18th, led when mistake 2 out, soon headed, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
Flemenstar (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, closer in 3rd halfway, improved to dispute after 6th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 26 1/2l behind Ballycasey (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Outlander (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed briefly 14th, outpaced after next, struggling 4 out, well beaten when hampered 3 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Sizing John (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
Sizing John 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear early, closed into mid-division 5th, effort after 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well flat, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar beating Minella Rocco (11-10) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
