mid-division in touch, tracked leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong
smartly away, led, ridden over 1f out, edged right under pressure inside final furlong, headed inside final 100 yards, kept on, just held near finish
raced keenly, mid-division, lost place over 4f out, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders and wide into straight, soon ridden and one pace, weakened final furlong
mid-division on inside, lost place over 4f out, soon behind
held up in touch, tracked leaders going well 3f out, went 2nd turning in, ridden over 1f out, lost place and faded inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway on outside 3f out, outpaced when ridden and edged left inside final, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders on outside, driven and lost place 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace and well held over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear on outside, headway 4f out, soon tracked leaders, outpaced over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up behind, struggling 4f out, weakened over 2f out, pulled up inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division under pressure over 2f out, not pace to threaten leaders
tracked leaders, driven and lost place 3f out, soon behind
mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, readily outpaced by front pair inside final furlong
held up behind, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, outpaced and no impression final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along and still plenty to do 3f out, headway on outside under pressure turning in, soon ridden, went 2nd when edged left inside final furlong, ran on, led inside final 100 yards, held on
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, no impression in 4th inside final furlong
behind, outpaced 3f out, never a threat
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, weakened 2f out
never better than mid-division, weakened final 2f
Cue Card won this as a four-year-old in 2010 but that age group has a terrible record otherwise, which doesn’t bode well for Acey Milan. Willie Mullins is mob-handed as usual as he bids for a ninth winner in this race but it’s not always been the apparent first choice that’s been successful. Blackbow and Tornado Flyer are the two who have attracted money this year, however, and both are unbeaten. The former beat today’s rival Rhinestone at Leopardstown and the latter beat a subsequent winner on debut at Fairyhouse, though the third was later tailed off behind Blackbow. The Irish have won this 19 times in its 26-year history and their hand is further strengthened by Felix Desjy, though Gigginstown haven’t really targeted this contest in the past and their representative is now hooded after failing to impress at Down Royal back in November. Didtheyleaveuoutto looked more than useful when scoring at Ascot but his trainer is worried about ground conditions here and Barry Geraghty has opted to ride Rhinestone. KNOW THE SCORE ran green when making a winning start under Rules at Towcester but still pulled well clear under a hands and heels ride. The second went one better at Warwick only last week and David Pipe’s £380,000 purchase is well worth an interest at long odds upped in class as his pedigree is a mixture of Flat speed and stamina. Thebannerkingrebel also boast useful form and shouldn’t be ignored.
Blackbow (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching straight, soon led and went on, kept on well final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Rhinestone (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Carefully Selected (IRE) 8-13fav (11-11) Made all, ridden 2f out, soon went clear, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Naas 2m sft in Feb beating Press Conference (11-6) by 4 3/4l, 7 ran.
Crooks Peak 4-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Air Navigator (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dashel Drasher 14-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, clear towards finish, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) hvy in Feb beating Hideaway Vic (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway chasing leaders over 3f out, led going well entering final furlong, ran on strongly, eased close home, won at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec beating Bullionaire (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Doc Penfro 20-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Black Pirate (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (5) hvy in Feb.
Felix Desjy (FR) 4-9fav (11-11) Led, pressed over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, stayed on to lead again final 100 yards, kept on well close home, won at Down Royal 2m sft in Nov beating Cask Mate (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Know The Score (IRE) 1-2fav (11-3) Tracked leader until 11f out, challenged 3f out, led well over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Towcester 2m (5) sft in Feb beating Milanstorm (11-3) by 13l, 5 ran.
Mercy Mercy Me 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on under pressure to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, clear inside final furlong, won at Sandown 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Classic Ben (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nestor Park (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Led until 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened and lost 3 places well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 14l behind Acey Milan (10-11) at Newbury 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Rhinestone (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, went 3rd approaching straight, soon 2nd and pushed along, kept on well without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Blackbow (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Seddon (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) In touch, tracked leader halfway, led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Feb beating Chanceanotherfive (11-13) by 5l, 8 ran.
Stoney Mountain (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Warwick 2m (5) hvy in Jan beating Not Normal (11-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Thebannerkingrebel (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) Led early, tracked leader, led over 4f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f (5) hvy in Feb beating Harambe (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
The Big Bite (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway 7f out, hanging left on outside over 3f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, ran green and edged left, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Dec beating Shaughnessy (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Flying Sofa (FR) 13-8jfav (11-3) Took keen hold, 2nd travelling well 5f out, led over 2f out, pushed out final furlong, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (5) gs in Feb beating Shaughnessy (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold, improved to lead travelling well 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, all out, won at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Jan beating Getaway John (11-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Colreevy (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th from 3f out travelling smoothly, ridden to chase winner from 2f out, dropped to 3rd under 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Relegate (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Relegate (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, closed up from 5f out, on terms over 4f out, led from 3f out, raced on outer into straight, ridden from 2f out, soon went on, reduced lead but stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Getaway Katie Mai (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Acey Milan (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, led going well 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Woulduadamandeveit (11-3) by 11l, 10 ran.
Arch My Boy 7-2 (10-7) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, just held last strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Melekhov (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Jaytrack Parkhomes 3-1 (10-7) Raced on inside, tracked leaders, led inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead again close home, won at Fontwell 1m 6f (5) hvy in Feb beating Looks Frozen (10-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Volcano (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway 6f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Acey Milan (10-12) at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Herecomestheboom (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, never involved, 12th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
