prominent and disputed lead, led briefly before 3rd, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out and no impression after next, went moderate 2nd approaching last, kept on run-in
in rear, detached after 4th, pushed along and no impression 4 out, no threat in straight, ridden and kept on one pace
led or disputed lead, headed briefly before 3rd, led from 4th, asserted and 4 lengths clear entering straight, extended lead after 2 out, kept on well
ran 5th, mistake 4th and slight mistake next, pushed along before 4 out, 4th and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 4 out and soon pushed along in 4th, no extra entering straight, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway and closer 5 out, went 2nd after next, pushed along and no impression on winner entering straight, 3rd and no extra before last, weakened
Newly-crowned UK Champion Jockey Harry Skelton travels over to ride Nube Negra for brother Dan after a superb effort when runner-up to Put The Kettle On in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham with Chacun Pour Soi beaten a length in third and First Flow a further 5 lengths behind. Kim Bailey isn't afraid to take on the two who finished in front of him with the latter, who did remarkably well to finish so close after being outpaced early. Chacun Pour Soi is back on home turf here and expected to reverse the places with the runner-up but may have to give best to stable companion ALLAHO, who lit up the Festival with a brilliant display of front-running in the Ryanair and though dropping back in trip will have these rivals at full stretch from the start.
Allaho (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent 4 out, clear after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar beating Fakir D'Oudairies (11-10) by 12l, 11 ran.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, slight mistake 6th, closer 5 out, headway early straight and went 2nd 2 out, disputed approaching last where slight mistake, 2nd and ridden run-in, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Easy Game (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 8-13fav (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd and edged slightly left towards rail after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden and headed final 50 yards, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Put The Kettle On (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Not jump well, behind, closed from 3 out but never got on terms, another mistake 2 out and well beaten after, 8th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Put The Kettle On (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
First Flow (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent and looked to be hanging right from 6th, lost place 7th, wide but closed 3 out, held from 2 out, kept on, 6th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Put The Kettle On (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Nube Negra (SPA) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, closed 4 out, stumbled slightly last, switched right flat, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Put The Kettle On (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Daly Tiger (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression when jumped left 2 out, no extra and jumped left again last, last of 5, 31 1/4l behind Any Second Now (11-10) at Navan 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
