held up in 4th, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, soon no impression and kept on one pace
held up towards rear, mainly 5th, ridden and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, led before 4th, pressed briefly 6 out, slight mistake and joined 3 out, soon headed and ridden, kept on same pace under pressure in 2nd from before last
held up in rear, dropped behind and trailing before 7 out where slightly slow, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders in 3rd, mistake 2nd, disputed 2nd from 5th, jumped up to challenge briefly 6 out, jumped up to dispute 3 out, soon led travelling best, shaken up to assert before last, pushed out run-in and kept on strongly, comfortably
led, headed before 4th, disputed 2nd from 5th, 3rd 6 out, ridden 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on same pace from before last
DJAKADAM and Sizing John renew rivalry in what should be a fascinating clash. The former had Sub Lieutenant back in third when winning this for the second time a year ago before ending his campaign with defeats behind Sizing John in the Gold Cups at Cheltenham and here though the latter race by just a short-head. This appears to be his track and trip and he can take his revenge on Jessica Harrington's charge, who thrived once getting a stiffer test after chasing Douvan around in the early part of his career. Shaneshill, an excellent second in the Galway Plate, ran no sort of race behind A Toi Phil at Gowran and the winner has been beaten twice subsequently. Carlingford Lough beat the selection in the Gold Cup here last year, his fifth Grade 1 victory, so he can never be ruled out.
A Toi Phil (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, pushed along in 2nd entering straight, ridden 2 out and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Alpha Des Obeaux (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 7th, at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Djakadam (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, ridden entering straight, led narrowly after 2 out, joined and mistake at last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 6, shd behind Sizing John (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Shaneshill (IRE) 15-8 (11-3) In rear, a little slow in jumping at times, pushed along approaching straight in 4th, soon no extra, 4th of 5, 36 1/2l behind A Toi Phil (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Sizing John 9-10fav (11-10) Held up in last, closer in 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon 2nd, improved to dispute lead at last, stayed on well run-in and edged ahead close home, won at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Djakadam (11-10) by shd, 6 ran.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Soon led, joined 10th, slight mistake and headed 5 out, pushed along and no impression in 5th after next, no extra in straight, 5th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Nov.
