led and soon clear with 1 rival, 3 lengths advantage halfway, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on easy winner run-in
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, no impression from 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
held up in 4th, not fluent 1st, ran freely, moderate 4th halfway, no impression 3 out, pushed along next and no extra in straight, kept on one pace
always towards rear and well off pace, no impression from before 3 out, no extra after 2 out, remote 5th from before last
tracked leader in 2nd, slow 1st, soon clear of remainder, travelled well after 2 out and smooth headway to lead before last, kept on well run-in, very easily
held up in rear and well off pace, never a factor, 5th and no impression 2 out, no extra in straight
VAUBAN followed an opening defeat on heavy ground here with Grade 1's victories at Leopardstown and Cheltenham, on both occasions beating Fil Dor by around three lengths with something to spare. The latter attempts to make it third time lucky but there's no obvious reason for a turn around in form. Il Etait Temps was also behind in those two Grade 1's but wasn't beaten far and if there was to be an upset he could be the one to provide it as he looks a very promising type. The remaining trio have too much to find to be considered.
Fil Dor (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Pressed leader, disputed lead 2nd, close up 4th, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on strongly flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Vauban (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
Hms Seahorse (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Jumped first hurdle in false start, mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 4th, 3rd and one pace when hit last, weakened into 4th final 110 yards, 4th of 21, 3 1/2l behind Brazil (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Il Etait Temps (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in midfield, hit 1st, still keen approaching 2 out, ridden and almost upsides before last, faded flat, 5th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Vauban (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
Man O Work (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, 6th halfway, not fluent 4 out, pushed along in 4th after next, close 3rd 2 out and soon led, ridden and asserted before last, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Instit (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Vauban (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Keen behind leaders, not fluent 2nd, travelled strongly when switched to near rail and led before last where not fluent, quickened clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar beating Fil Dor (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Innatendue (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway between horses after 3 out, ridden to lead next, slight mistake last and headed, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Iberique Du Seuil (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
