held up in rear, niggled along 6 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, closer and left challenging 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in
held up and ran freely, ridden in 4th entering straight, stayed on and closer 2 out, left challenging and slightly hampered, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in, lost 3rd close home
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
chased leaders early, 4th and pushed along briefly at 7th, closer again at 9th, challenged 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, left challenging 2 out, no extra before last where 4th, kept on same pace run-in to 3rd close home
chased leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 5th 5 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led, strongly pressed from 4 out, pushed along and 1-length advantage when fell 2 out
The absence of Don Cossack has taken away some of the gloss though it's still the most exciting race of the meeting. CUE CARD would have given Gordon Elliott's Gold Cup winner a race had he not fallen three out at Cheltenham. He bounced back with a superb run to see off Don Poli and Djakadam in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree and it seems unlikely the placed pair can reverse the form here. The only doubt is that Colin Tizzard's star finished behind Djakadam and Road To Riches in this last year but he was in nothing like the form he's been showing this campaign and it will be a surprise if he's beaten. The latter was narrowly beaten by Smashing over 2m4f at Navan earlier this month but that proved too short and he can reverse form with the winner, who will be having his first start over the trip. Carlingford Lough and Foxrock complete the line-up and they battled out the finish of the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last February - both are capable of big runs.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced when hit 16th, soon behind, well beaten in 7th before 2 out, stayed on under pressure before last, took 4th post, no chance with leaders, 4th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
Cue Card 6-5fav (11-7) Held up in touch, headway 4th to track leaders, led 3 out, clear before last on bit, soon shaken up, ran on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Don Poli (11-7) by 9l, 9 ran.
Djakadam (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed after 5 out, in 3rd and one pace when pecked last, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Don Poli (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) With leaders, led after 5 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Foxrock (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression when mistake 3 out, stayed on well run-in, closest at finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Smashing (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Road To Riches (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to join leader 3 out and disputed, ridden before 2 out where slight mistake, 1-length down and slight mistake last, kept on to press winner run-in, just held close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Smashing (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Smashing (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Led, joined 3 out and disputed, ridden before last where 1-length advantage and slight mistake, strongly pressed run-in, all out close home, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr beating Road To Riches (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
