held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th 7 out, challenged 3 out, ridden to dispute entering straight, mistake 2 out, soon under pressure in 2nd, slight mistake last, kept on run-in without reaching winner
close up and disputed, led 7th, slight mistake 6 out, pressed 3 out, soon ridden, joined entering straight, led 2 out, kept on well under pressure from before last
held up in rear, mistake 9th, moderate 5th before 7 out, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 7 out, 2nd 5 out, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
prominent briefly, soon chased leaders, disputed briefly 5th to 6th, close 2nd and slight mistake 7 out, ridden in 4th 4 out, no extra before next, weakened
led and disputed, headed 7th, weakened to rear 10th, pulled up 7 out
Paul Nicholls bypassed Cheltenham with Clan Des Obeaux and it proved the right decision as he turned the Grade 1 Betway Bowl at Aintree into a procession. Well beaten behind AL BOUM PHOTO in the two previous Gold Cups and by Kemboy in the 2019 Betway Bowl, he's in peak form and the track and trip will suit. With MInello Indo a non-runner, Al Boum Photo can get back on the winning trail despite having been beaten by Kemboy in this a year ago. This is very much the latter's track and with the ground in his favour he can give his stable companion a tough race. Easy Game has never quite achieved Grade 1 status unlike Fakir D'oudairies, a very easy winner over 2m4f but untested over this trip. Melon has had his last six starts at Grade 1 level and was less than 2 lengths behind Kemboy when they occupied the places in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway from 11th, not fluent 17th, hit 4 out, held in pocket bend before 2 out, soon went 3rd but unable to go with front pair, held after, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 5 1/2l behind Minella Indo (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Always prominent, left in lead 12th, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Clondaw Castle (11-7) by 26l, 9 ran.
Easy Game (FR) 11-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th 6 out, headway between horses approaching straight, travelled well and led 3 out, pushed along and joined approaching last, led again early run-in, ridden and kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr beating Castlegrace Paddy (11-10) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leader until slow 2nd, chased leaders after, led after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, drew clear approaching last, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr beating Nuts Well (11-7) by 11l, 7 ran.
Kemboy (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leader, mistake 3rd, lost 2nd after next, stayed prominent, mistake 8th, lost place before 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Minella Indo (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Melon 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost ground 2nd, struggling 11th, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Minella Indo (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, closed to dispute 2nd from 16th, going strongly 3 out, soon led, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar beating A Plus Tard (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
