tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 7th, ridden in 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace without reaching winner from before last
tracked leaders, ridden and dropped to 4th after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in 4th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th at last
held up in last, ridden and went 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on one paced
made all, not fluent at 2nd, clear from 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, stayed on well from last, comfortably
This should prove a stroll in the park for the brilliant UN DE SCEAUX, whose only defeat in a dozen starts came when falling when clear at Thurles in November. His very impressive victory in the Arkle at Cheltenham was a cut above anything these rivals can muster and Ruby Walsh should have another comfortable ride. Smashing was 30 lengths behind him at the Festival and showed the strength of the form when narrowly beaten in the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase at Fairyhouse so could chase home the selection. Just Cameron is unbeaten in three starts over fences but has a mountain to climb so fellow UK raider Melodic Rendezvous, who has plenty of potential without having quite got it together over fences, could be the one for the minor spot.
Just Cameron 11-2 (11-5) Led until before 2nd, led again 7th, clear before last, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m nov hcap ch (3) sft beating Ifandbutwhynot (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Melodic Rendezvous 5-4 (11-0) Chased winner, 2 lengths down when blundered badly 12th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, weakened and lost 2nd at the last, not recover, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Irish Saint (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Real Steel (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Led, jumped left 1st and 2nd, not fluent 5th and slight mistake next, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, trailing before last, last of 4, well behind Rawnaq (11-4) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs G2 (1) in Feb.
Ted Veale (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, well beaten 4 out, 9th of 17, 18l behind Surf And Turf (10-5) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Made virtually all, driven 2 out, soon pressed, ridden clear after last, stayed on strongly and well in command flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar beating God's Own (11-4) by 6l, 11 ran.
Smashing (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, mistake 6 out, improved to dispute 3 out, ridden and slight mistake 2 out, headed run-in, no extra closing stages and dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Gilgamboa (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1).
