mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden into 7th 3f out, under pressure in 6th entering straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4f out, kept on one pace from before straight
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden over 3f out, no extra entering straight
chased leaders early, soon settled mid-division, 7th halfway, progress into 3rd 4f out, challenged 3f out and soon led, ridden entering straight, asserted over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 4f out
led, strongly pressed from 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon headed, no extra 1 1/2f out
held up towards rear early, mid-division in 8th halfway, progress into 5th 3f out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up and challenged in 2nd 5f out, ridden in close 3rd 3f out, no impression in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden and weakened 4f out
towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 4f out, weakened
held up towards rear, ridden into 7th entering straight, stayed on into 4th 1f out, no impression final furlong and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, progress into 5th 4f out, 4th 3f out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong to 2nd close home
Willie Mullins sent six to contest the Cheltenham Bumper but the nearest he came was with Bellshill, who finished tenth. Bordini, who had looked the stable first string, showed nothing like his form and pulled up and there were plenty of others from different stables who were behind the gambled-on Moon Racer in that Grade 1 event. Runner-up, and producing an exceptional performance, was Modus, who has always looked an outstanding prospect for his small yard. He'll be very difficult to beat here but four-year-olds have a very good record in the race and both Charbel and DISKO are strong representatives of the younger brigade. The former followed an easy success at Leopardstown with another in a Listed contest at Limerick but it's Noel Meade's grey, who looked a brilliant prospect on his debut here in February, who can enhance his already huge reputation by landing this prestigious prize.
Altior (IRE) 13-8fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Barters Hill (11-3) at Newbury 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Feb.
Au Quart De Tour (FR) 9-4fav (11-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th 2f out, no extra, 4th of 7, 19l behind Anibale Fly (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat sft.
Bay Of Freedom (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Slowly away, behind, headway into mid-division over 4f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, never threatened leaders, 9th of 23, 15l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m G1 NH flat (1) gd in Mar.
Bellshill (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, close 3rd going well 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, stayed on, no impression final 75 yards, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Barters Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f G2 NH flat (1) gs.
Bordini (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders to 4f out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up inside final furlong, in a race won by Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m G1 NH flat (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Livelovelaugh (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Led, asserted early straight and 4 lengths clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure, no extra and headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat sft.
Modus 33-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, held up behind, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final 75 yards, always held, 2nd of 23, 1 1/2l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m G1 NH flat (1) gd in Mar.
Pylonthepressure (IRE) 11-8 (11-13) Made all, asserted from 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 3f NH flat sft in Feb beating Space Cadet (11-6) by 9l, 5 ran.
Supasundae 17-2 (11-5) Slowly away, soon in touch, led after 3f, driven over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 23, 8l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m G1 NH flat (1) gd in Mar.
Wade Harper (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Prominent, led 10f out, made rest, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd beating Boy In A Bentley (11-3) by 9l, 10 ran.
Montana Belle (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Soon towards rear, headway under pressure over 4f out, ridden to chased clear leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 23, 10l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m G1 NH flat (1) gd in Mar.
Charbel (IRE) 8-15fav (11-6) Held up 4th, ran freely, progress to 3rd 3f out, travelling well and on terms under 2f out, narrowly led 1f out, easily, won at Limerick 2m 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) hvy in Mar beating Tokenella (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Disko (FR) 7-4 (11-7) Prominent, soon 3rd, tight for room and switched off rail over 3f out, travelling smoothly in 2nd approaching straight, led over 2f out, soon pushed clear, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo NH flat in Feb beating Chain Gang (11-0) by 15l, 9 ran.
