always prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, going away close home
held up in last pair, took keen hold, mistake 10th, headway on outside 3 out, chased winner before last, ridden and no impression final 100 yards
led, not fluent 12th or 4 out, jumped left 3 out, soon headed and ridden, weakened before last, lost 4th flat
held up in last pair, niggled along briefly 6th, effort after 12th, outpaced before 3 out, blundered 2 out, well held before last, went 4th flat
chased leaders, closed on inside 12th, not much room 3 out, every chance when pecked 2 out, 3rd and held last
Saint Roi finished third in the Arkle at Cheltenham and was 16 lengths ahead of fourth Straw Fan Jack. He’s trying this trip for the first time over fences but was placed over 2m2f over hurdles in France. However, he unseated his rider when Banbridge was a staying-on second in the Irish Arkle earlier and the latter holds Visionarian on that run. STAGE STAR (NAP) jumped for fun when making all in the Turners at The Festival and there is a good chance he’ll run the finish out of these if allowed his own way out in front again.
Banbridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, dropped to 5th 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, 4th and slight mistake at last, stayed on well run-in, went 2nd at line but not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind El Fabiolo (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Saint Roi (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in last trio, steady headway after 9th, went 4th next, pushed along home turn, left modest 3rd at the last, 3rd of 9, 12l behind El Fabiolo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Stage Star (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Led, not fluent 4 out, headed and shaken up before 2 out, led again approaching last, stayed on strongly run-in and clear inside final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar beating Notlongtillmay (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Straw Fan Jack 50-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in 5th, mistake 8th, reached for 4 out, lost place soon after, left 5th at the last, went remote 4th close home, 4th of 9, 28l behind El Fabiolo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Visionarian (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders early, dropped to 6th at 4th, slight mistake next, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind El Fabiolo (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
