held up in mid-division on inside, closing 5th when mistake 4 out, ridden after 3 out, 4 lengths 3rd and looking beaten when jumped right and fell 2 out
not that fluent, held up in mid-division, dropped into rear after 6th, mistake 14th and 15th, struggling after, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, not fluent last, switched right and stayed on flat, went 4th towards finish
jumped low and hit the top of several fences, pressed leader, led after 2nd, mistake 3rd, headed 3 out, soon outpaced and beaten, left modest 3rd last, no extra and dropped to 5th flat
held up in mid-division, lost place approaching 11th, never back in contention, well beaten 7th after 3 out, fell last
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, dived at 1st, headed after 2nd, tracked leader until after 7th, ridden after 4 out, still in touch on outside 3 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd but no impression flat
in rear, several slow jumps, struggling 14th, well behind next, pulled up after clambering over 4 out
tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd after 7th, led 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, no impression on winner last, kept on and well clear of rest
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led before next, clear from last, stayed on well
Bryony Frost’s partnership with Black Corton has been one of the season’s success stories. He is bidding for a third win on the track this campaign and holds Elegant Escape and Ballyoptic on the form book but winners of the Kauto Star don’t have a great record in this contest and this is undoubtedly his toughest task to date. Presenting Percy gave Gold Cup hopeful Our Duke a fright in the Grade 2 Red Mills at Gowran. A Festival winner last year over hurdles, he is unlikely to be far away reverting to novice company but MONALEE (NAP) is just preferred. Second in last year’s Albert Bartlett, he bounced back from an unexpected fall at Leopardstown in December to beat Al Boum Photo and Dounikos in another Grade 1 at the same track last month and is a proven stayer with a touch of class. Bonbon Au Miel only won a beginners’ chase in January and may find this comes too soon in his career.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th after 4th, not fluent 7th, still 4th approaching straight, soon switched right, slight mistake last, soon challenged, kept on well without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Monalee (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Allysson Monterg (FR) 3-1jfav (10-12) In touch on outside, switched inside before 4 out, challenged next, led narrowly after last, ridden out closing stages, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 3f (3) hvy in Feb beating Verni (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-3) Held up in touch, went 3rd from 9th, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led run-in, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m (1) hvy in Feb beating Vintage Clouds (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Black Corton (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) Made all and jumped well, fiddled 11th, pushed along and quickened readily clear before the last, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb beating Ms Parfois (10-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
Bonbon Au Miel (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Soon close up and disputed lead, jumped well, led before 3 out, asserted between last 2, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Jan beating Turcagua (11-12) by 11l, 10 ran.
Dounikos (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, 6th approaching 6th, 5th approaching straight, soon effort, kept on well without matching principals run-in, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Monalee (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) Disputed lead, narrow advantage 4 out, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well, readily, won at Exeter 3m (2) hvy in Feb beating Ramses De Teillee (11-4) by 13l, 4 ran.
Full Irish (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, never on terms, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Mister Whitaker (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Monalee (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-10) Soon led, jumped well, joined approaching straight, soon led again and strongly pressed, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb beating Al Boum Photo (11-10) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Presenting Percy Evensfav (11-3) Held up, 4th halfway, improved to be close up 6 out, 2nd entering straight, challenged 3 out, ridden and disputed 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd and held run-in, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Our Duke (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
