chased leader in 4th, in touch 4 out but no extra after next, no threat in straight
chased leader in 3rd, ridden early straight and no impression last, kept on same pace under pressure to go 2nd closing stages
made all, 6 lengths advantage halfway, reduced lead 4 out and ridden early straight, jumped left last but stayed on well under pressure run-in
always rear, in touch 4 out but no extra after next, soon weakened and pulled up before last
chased leader in 2nd, driven along approaching straight and tried to challenge 2 out, no impression on winner last and dropped to 3rd closing stages
Roi Du Mee won this last year when he made all to easily beat the long odds-on Forpadydeplasterer. He hasn't really progressed as expected and was beaten a long way behind Sizing Europe at Gowran a couple of weeks ago. After scoring at Grade 2 level last January, Magnanimity was raced almost exclusively at the highest level and has been found wanting while Arabella Boy has only won once over fences and has plenty to do. Follow The Plan's 50/1 shock in the Grade 1 Betfred Bowl at Aintree was followed by an excellent second to China Rock in the Punchestown Gold Cup and he'll be better for his run in the Galway Plate but the concession of 10lb to Joncol looks beyond him. Paul Nolan's charge goes well fresh and though he hasn't quite hit the heights since his early Grade 1 victories he's young enough to prove his worth when back in the highest grade.
Follow The Plan (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, weakened from 6 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Bob Lingo (10-3) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Aug, 20 ran.
Magnanimity (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division on outer, 10th halfway, 6th after 4 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 8l behind Caduceus (10-2) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 sft in May.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 11-1 (11-8) In rear, lost touch 6 out, no impression from 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 36l behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1) gd.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, closed up travelling well from 2 out, challenged under pressure run-in, switched and stayed on well closing stages, not quite get to eased winner, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Outlaw Pete (11-10) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Apr.
Joncol (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, blundered 5 out, in rear when mistake next, no extra, 7th of 9, 49l behind Synchronised (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) gd in Dec.
