waited with towards rear, not fluent 5th, no extra from before 2 out
chased leaders, mainly 4th, slight mistake 4th, 3rd approaching 3 out and a little slow, soon under pressure and lost position and no impression, one pace
led, inclined to jump left, joined 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, on terms 2 out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
waited with towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway from before 3 out, moderate 3rd after next and one pace, slight mistake last
took keen hold, not fluent 1st, chased leaders, mainly 3rd, a little slow 5th, soon 4th and one pace from before 2 out
Willie Mullins has won four of the last five including with Faugheen and Douvan and dominates today's renewal with four entries. Ruby is on board Supreme Novices' winner KLASSICAL DREAM, who excelled on the soft going at Cheltenham. It may not have been a vintage renewal but he won with a bit in hand and had subsequent Aintree winner Felix Desjy and his own stable companion Aramon, who was only a head behind him in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February, well back in fifth and sixth. Mister Blue Sky is progressing nicely but needs to step-up on his narrow Grade 2 victory at Fairyhouse while Quick Grabim was 4l behind Aramon at Navan in November. Nicky Henderson wouldn't be sending the unbeaten Champagne Platinum without good reason though he's taking a massive step-up in class.
Aramon (GER) 3-1fav (11-4) Chased clear leading pair, went left 2 out, soon ridden, went 5 lengths 2nd last, stayed on flat, unable to catch winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Felix Desjy (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, travelling well when switched left before 2 out, quickened to lead last, pushed along and well in command run-in, won at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Percy's Word (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Felix Desjy (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Made all, clear after 3rd until came up early and dragged hind legs through 4th, went clear again after next, still 5 lengths up last, edged right before drifting left to rail, reduced lead but never looked liked being caught, won at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr beating Aramon (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Klassical Dream (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, always prominent, led going well 4 out, drew clear approaching last, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Thomas Darby (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Mister Blue Sky (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Waited with, soon raced in 5th, headway 5th, 3rd approaching straight, challenged between last 2, soon on terms, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Cash Back (11-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Quick Grabim (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Made virtually all, joined 3 out, led again before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) gd in Dec beating Triplicate (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
