soon raced in moderate 5th, some headway but no impression in 4th when switched right after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon distant 3rd and one pace
soon raced in 4th, 3rd before 5th, not go with front pair approaching 4 out, no impression and mistake next, slight mistake 2 out, soon 4th again and one pace
in rear, some headway from before 4 out, soon moderate 5th and no impression
close up in 3rd, 2nd approaching 3rd, slight mistake 6th, not go with winner from before straight, kept on without threatening closing stages
disputed lead, headed after 2nd, soon 3rd, 4th before 5th, dropped to last from 4 out and no extra
disputed lead, led after 2nd, slight mistake 4th, went on from before straight, stayed on well run-in
Min was no match for Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase where his jumping lost fluency when put under pressure. He made all for a very impressive victory over 2m4f at Aintree but was well beaten behind stable companion UN DE SCEAUX in this last year. The latter is best at the minimum having run Altior close in the Tingle Creek on his reappearance before finding 2m4f beyond him in the Ryanair and this looks to have been his target again. Great Field is a very smart performer on his day as we saw when he beat Ordinary World 11l in the Ryanair Novice Chase here two years ago but two falls in December may have affected his confidence though it would be no shock to see him bounce back. Hell's Kitchen was an excellent fourth in the Queen Mother but a long way behind Min at Aintree while Castlegrace Paddy hasn't done quite enough to be considered.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, disputing 4th 2 out, switched right and unable to go with leaders, weakened flat, 6th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Great Field (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led, joined straight, headed approaching last where fell, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.
Hell's Kitchen 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 7th, mistake 11th, lost 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, awkward and no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened after, 4th of 6, dist behind Min (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Min (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Raced freely, made all, asserting 2 out, soon easily drew clear, impressive, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr beating Politologue (11-7) by 20l, 6 ran.
Ordinary World (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, disputed 3rd after 4th, 4th before straight, no impression from before 2 out, soon one pace in moderate 3rd, 3rd of 6, 19 3/4l behind Jett (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway when not much room on inside before 4 out, effort before 2 out, ridden and unable to go with leaders between last 2, well held from last, 5th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Frodon (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
