made most to 10th, in touch, led again 4 out, pushed along next, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance with easy winner before last
tracked leaders on inside, blundered 9th, headway to lead 12th, headed 4 out, no chance with front pair after next, lost moderate 3rd last
pressed leader, led briefly 7th, led 10th to 12th, driven in 4th 3 out, soon no chance with leaders, went moderate 3rd last
in rear, struggling from 9th, tailed off 3 out
refused to race, took no part
tracked leaders on outside, poised to challenge 3 out, led on bit between last 2, clear last, very easily
This is Sprinter Sacre's first try over 2m4f over fences and he suffered his one and only defeat under Rules over the longer trip over hurdles. He's in a league of his own over 2m but CUE CARD, whom he beat by seven lengths in last year's Arkle, will test his stamina here and we fancy Colin Tizzard's classy Ryanair Chase winner to upset the apple cart. Flemenstar is Ireland's best chaser over this trip and beat Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in December. The placings were reversed over 3m last time but Peter Casey's charge can't be ignored. Former champion chaser and last year's winner Finian's Rainbow has been a big disappointment this season, however, and For Non Stop was well behind the selection in the Ryanair. Mad Moose is a bit of a character and refused to race at Cheltenham having earlier being well beaten by Sprinter Sacre at the same track.
Cue Card 7-2 (11-10) Made all, not fluent 3rd, shaken up to go clear last, driven and ran on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gs in Mar beating First Lieutenant (11-10) by 9l, 8 ran.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, raced wide throughout, not fluent 4 out, soon beaten, last of 6, 37l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs G1 (1) sft in Feb.
Flemenstar (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Held up in 4th, 3rd before halfway, pushed along in 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in but no impression closing stages, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) in Feb.
For Non Stop (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, steady headway from 9th, hit 11th, not fluent next, ridden and pressing for 2nd before 2 out, 4th and one pace when jumped slowly last, kept on take 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Cue Card (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mad Moose (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Refused to race, in a race won by Carrickboy (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 22 ran.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 1-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, left 3rd at 4th, went 2nd when mistake 4 out, led going well 3 out, drew clear on bit after next, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gs in Mar beating Sizing Europe (11-10) by 19l, 7 ran.
