disputed until headed before 2nd, close 3rd after, not fluent 3rd, 2nd from 8th, not fluent 11th, disputed from 12th, led 5 out, 3 length advantage after 2 out, kept on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably
always in rear, slight mistake 4th, took closer order when slight mistake 5 out, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, no extra when tired jump at last, completely tailed off
disputed until led before 2nd, ran freely, joined 12th, headed and not fluent 5 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace
tracked leader until mistake and dropped to 3rd at 8th, pushed along briefly after 10th, ridden and no impression before 2 out, no extra before last
Cheltenham God Cup hero AL BOUM PHOTO won this on his return to action a year ago and also scored first-time-back the previous season. He's still only seven so should have even more to offer this campaign and can't be opposed. His stable companions Voix Du Reve and Acapella Bourgeois are not in his class though the former has competed at Grade 1 level in his last six starts and has a Grade 2 victory to his credit. The latter is no slouch having finished a close third in the Irish National in April though he's unlikely to test his illustrious stable companion. Shattered Love will be receiving 18lb but was 36 lengths behind in the Gold Cup though is much better over this sort of trip.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 7-4 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistakes 5th and 11th, went 3rd after next, pushed along to challenge approaching 2 out where mistake, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Kemboy (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Waited with towards rear, bad mistake 3rd, closed from before 4 out, soon effort, no impression from before 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, 5th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Soon raced in 2nd, led approaching 5th, slight mistake 8th, joined approaching straight, headed approaching 3 out, no extra and not fluent 2 out, weakened, 10th of 16, dist behind The Jam Man (10-2) at Navan 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Shattered Love (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Soon raced in 2nd, a little slow at 1st, slight mistake 8th, not fluent 3 out and lost position, soon no extra, 7th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
