tracked leaders in 4th, closer in 2nd 4 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd after next, no impression on leaders straight, onepaced
held up in last, slight mistakes 4th and 7th, lost touch from 3 out
led, joined from 3rd, headed 4 out and soon weakened quickly, moderate 4th from 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along 5th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd entering straight, ridden when slight mistake 2 out, closed on winner when switched to inner before last, no impression on winner inside final furlong
always prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, led from 4 out, ridden clear entering straight, wandered around slightly approaching last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
The four who followed Finian's Rainbow home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, SIZING EUROPE, Big Zeb, Gauvain and Realt Dubh, are in opposition again. Sizing Europe may have lost his championship that day but ran another brilliant race and he had Big Zeb 15l behind, the same distance he had beaten him over this C&D in February. The latter isn't looking the force of old though he came here last year having been beaten by the selection at Cheltenham and reversed the form. Gauvain was a further 11L behind at The Festival and Realt Dubh is a more realistic alternative as he was having his first start since a cracking run at this meeting a year ago. Captain Cee Bee is invariably beaten by the big two, as he was a year ago, and China Rock, who ran in the Gold Cup, will surely find this much too short.
Big Zeb (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Held up in 4th, left 3rd at 4th, outpaced by leading pair before 2 out (usual 3 out), pugged on same pace, never on terms, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway into mid-division approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 8th of 20, 11l behind Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
China Rock (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outside, tracked leaders 9th, hit 12th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 48l behind Synchronised (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Gauvain (GER) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, went 4th at 5th, struggling 3 out (usual 4 out), no chance with leaders, 4th of 8, 28l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Realt Dubh (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Blundered 1st, held up in touch on inside, struggling 9th, no chance with leaders, 5th of 8, 30l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Tracked leader, left in lead at 4th, 2 lengths clear when not fluent and reduced advantage 2 out (usual 3 out), hard pressed when not much room bypassing omitted last, soon ridden, headed final 50 yards, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
