led and disputed, headed before 10th, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, stayed on into 4th last, challenged and every chance run-in, 3rd and kept on same pace closing stages, just held for 2nd
chased leaders, reminder 7th, 6th halfway, closer in 3rd 5 out, led and disputed from next, ridden in narrow lead entering straight, headed last, rallied to dispute again run-in, headed and no extra closing stages, held 2nd at line
towards rear for most, ridden and no impression before 2 out, weakened
mid-division, dropped towards rear and pushed along from 10th, ridden and no impression before 4 out
mid-division, 8th halfway, closer before 2 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division early, soon held up towards rear, closer in 8th at 10th, improved into 5th 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, disputed from last, kept on well run-in, asserted closing stages
held up towards rear, ridden in 9th before 2 out where slight mistake, soon no impression, kept on one pace
prominent, mistake 2nd, disputed from 7th, led before 10th, slight mistake 6 out, joined and disputed 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, weakened before last
mid-division, 7th halfway, slight mistake 11th, ridden in 9th 2 out, no impression in 7th before last, kept on one pace run-in
held up towards rear, progress into 8th 4 out, improved into 4th entering straight, ridden to challenge before last, disputed last, no extra and headed run-in, 4th and kept on same pace closing stages
chased leaders, 5th halfway, dropped to mid-division 6 out, ridden towards rear next, weakened
led and disputed, slight mistake 6th and headed, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute 2 out, headed entering straight, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace
Don Poli won this a year ago though it looks a much stronger renewal this time around. Gordon Elliott's charge is one of five Gigginstown-owned entries and retained rider Bryan Cooper has opted for Valseur Lido, who looked an outstanding prospect when running away with the Grade 1 JNWine at Down Royal last month. That was his best performance to date and he'll take some beating but DJAKADAM deserves the vote. Willie Mullins' dual Gold Cup runner-up will have found 2m4f too short in the John Durkan earlier this month but still managed to beat Outlander and this is his trip. Jonjo O'Neill saddles More Of That and Taquin Du Seuil with Barry Geraghty picking the former while Davy Russell should have a good ride aboard the improving Zabana, who had Outlander behind in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. Road To Riches won this in 2014 before a fine run in the Gold Cup though he hasn't been in that kind of form in his recent races.
Arctic Skipper (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 6th, pushed along and no impression 3 out, ridden and progress after next, led briefly last, kept on under pressure run-in to lead again on line, won at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Gilgamboa (11-4) by shd, 6 ran.
Djakadam (FR) 4-5fav (11-10) Close up in 2nd, hit 7th, on terms 5 out, led after 2 out, quickly pressed, stayed on best run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Outlander (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Don Poli (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4th and reminders after 7th, 3rd halfway, dropped to rear 12th and slightly hampered next, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Down Royal 3m (1) gd in Nov.
Fine Rightly (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Ran 5th, improved to 3rd after 4th, progress to 2nd halfway, dropped to 3rd after 2 out, no impression on easy winner, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 24 1/2l behind Douvan (11-12) at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slightly impeded 5 out, pushed along into straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed on well run-in, not quite match winner, 2nd of 6, hd behind Champagne Fever (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Yielding in Nov.
More Of That (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up, well in touch 10th, not fluent 12th, unable to quicken after 2 out, 3rd from last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 9 3/4l behind Josses Hill (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Outlander (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, joined for 3rd briefly from 4 out, pushed along to close approaching straight, challenged from 2 out, soon 2nd and every chance, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Djakadam (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Road To Riches (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Towards rear, headway in 5th before straight, soon pushed along and no impression, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Ballycasey (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Oct.
Smashing (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, mistake 4th and slight mistake next, 3rd halfway, no impression in 4th before 3 out, no extra in straight, last of 6, 30 1/4l behind Sadler's Risk (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Oct.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Held up, slow 7th, headway on inside after 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Village Vic (11-10) by nk, 17 ran.
Valseur Lido (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Held up, 5th halfway, progress before 11th and went 2nd 13th, travelled well to lead before 2 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 3m (1) gd in Nov beating Silviniaco Conti (11-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Led early, headed from 1st, led and disputed again from 3rd, slow jump and headed 3 out, soon dropped to 4th, no impression and one pace 2 out, 4th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Champagne Fever (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Yielding in Nov.
Zabana (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Disputed lead, headed from 2nd, mistake 5th, 3rd after next, on terms again after 4 out, ridden straight, led from 3 out, reduced lead but kept on well closing stages, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Kitten Rock (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Gilgamboa (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, 6th after 4th, detached 4 out, closer in 6th 3 out where brought down, at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
