held up in touch in last pair, went 3rd after 8th, left close 2nd next, led after 3 out, headed between last 2, 5 lengths down last, kept on gamely, no impression
tracked leader, left in lead 9th, hit 3 out, soon headed, one pace and no impression next
held up in touch in last pair, took keen hold, closed 3rd, challenged 3 out, led between last 2, 5 lengths ahead when steadied and went right last, driven out
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along before 9th, outpaced from 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led until fell 9th
chased leaders, slightly hampered 9th, not fluent next, last when hit 4 out, soon weakened
Stamina was clearly to blame for VAUTOUR's last-gasp defeat by Cue Card in the King George as he impressively got back to winning ways in the Ryanair when Al Ferof was almost eight lengths behind in fourth. Dan Skelton's grey looks to have little chance of reversing that form here as softer going is not ideal whereas it won't bother Willie Mullins' classy chaser. Vibrato Valtat was still in contention when falling in the Ryanair but there was still a fair way to travel and he was beaten four lengths over course and distance by Clarcam at this meeting last year. God's Own and veteran Somersby were fourth and fifth in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and the former should do best again, though he's been beaten by Vibrato Valtat in their last two meetings.
Al Ferof (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on inside, mistake and lost a few places 5th, well in touch 12th, close 3rd 3 out, no impression on winner next, went left and mistake last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 15, 7 3/4l behind Vautour (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Clarcam (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Prominent early, towards rear before 5th, no impression in last at 8th, no extra approaching straight, 8th of 10, dist behind Nearly Nama'd (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
God's Own (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Jumped right at times, held up, headway 8th, outpaced by leaders after 3 out, no impression after, blundered 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Somersby (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division on outside, closed 6th, not fluent 9th, lost place before 3 out, no impression after, blundered badly 2 out, plugged on, 5th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Vautour (FR) Evensfav (11-10) Travelled well just behind leaders, challenged 13th, soon led, slightly awkward 3 out, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar beating Valseur Lido (11-10) by 6l, 15 ran.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, 9th but still not asked for any effort when fell 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
