led, ridden after 2 out and pressed from last, headed inside final 100 yards and no extra close home
raced in rear, not fluent 6 out and jumped right next, went 5th 3 out, pushed along and no extra from next
mid-division and not fluent 8th, 5th halfway, took closer order from 3 out and every chance from next, ridden in 4th before last where not fluent and no extra run-in
tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, went 2nd 5 out, pushed along from 2 out and ridden to challenge last, led inside final 100 yards and rider lost whip, kept on well close home
mid-division and not fluent at times, 4th halfway and closer in 3rd after 5 out, pushed along from 2 out, ridden from last and kept on well without matching principals
tracked leader in 2nd, lost place from 5 out, pushed along and dropped to rear 3 out, no extra from 2 out
It's Martin Brassil versus Willie Mullins here. The former's Fastorslow created a huge upset when beating GALOPIN DES CHAMPS in the Gold Cup here in April and though there was no fluke about the victory the places are likely to be reversed. The runner-up had been carrying all before him previously including when winning this but the Gold Cup at Cheltenham probably took more out of him than thought and he can bounce back after a summer's rest. Blue Lord is a triple Grade 1 winner over fences who goes well fresh but has generally succumbed when facing the very best, a remark that also applies to Appreciate It, who did better over hurdles.
Appreciate It (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 10th, ridden in 2nd 2 out, edged left after last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Feronily (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 12-1 (10-10) 10th of 15, 37 1/2l behind Theleme (10-10) at Auteuil 3m 1f sft in May.
Blue Lord (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders disputing 4th, closer in 3rd and pushed along before 2 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Energumene (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Fastorslow (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 7th, pushed along and dropped to 4th before 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, went 3rd 2 out, good headway to lead after last, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Galopin Des Champs (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Galopin Des Champs (FR) 4-11fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, not fluent 7th, close 3rd at 13th, disputed lead 4 out, headed next, ridden in 2nd entering straight, dropped to 3rd and no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, went 2nd at line, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Fastorslow (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Stattler (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Never going well in rear, not much room 6th, behind and clambered over 9th, pulled up before 11th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
