tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, headway before 3 out, joined winner turning in, ridden after 2 out, one pace in 3rd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, not quite able to get back on terms with front pair
prominent on outside, led briefly 7th, pushed along and lost place 5 out, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
held up in touch in last trio, headway 3 out, chased leaders on outside turning in, no extra before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2
led to 5th, tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, one pace before next, never able to get back on terms, well held in 4th between last 2
tracked leader, led narrowly 5th, made most after, joined turning in, shaken up before last, ridden 11/2 lengths clear flat, hard pressed towards finish, edged right, all out
held up in touch in last trio, switched towards outside before 8th, headway and close up when fell 3 out
held up in touch in last trio, tracked leaders on inside 3 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, hit and lost ground last, rallied towards finish, just held
prominent, pressed winner from 6th, ridden and lost place turning in, weakened 2 out
A Plus Tard beat subsequent winner Chacon Pour Soi in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December. That was over 2m but he won the novices’ handicap on this card 12 months ago and was later placed over 3m so the trip isn’t a problem. Min looks held on collateral form while Riders Onthe Storm was probably a lucky winner of the Ascot Chase with favourite Cyrname failing to run up to form. FRODON and Bryony Frost raised the roof when battling back to head Aso on the run-in to land this 12 months ago. He is a real Cheltenham specialist and an accurate jumper and his rivals will need to be on top form to overhaul him up the straight if he gets into a rhythm again. Duc Des Genievre won last year’s Arkle but has been nowhere that form in subsequent starts and the mare Shattered Love may be a better each-way bet.
A Plus Tard (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to dispute approaching last, narrow lead final 150 yards, kept on well to assert close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating Chacun Pour Soi (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Aso (FR) 28-1 (11-10) Led, mistake 4th, headed next, chased leader, hit 1th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, outpaced and weakened 4 out, went modest 4th before next, 4th of 5, 28 1/2l behind Clan Des Obeaux (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd at 7th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression in moderate 3rd when fell 2 out, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Frodon (FR) 5-4 (11-6) Jumped left at times, made all, pushed clear before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan beating Keeper Hill (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Min (FR) 7-4 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 2nd, improved to lead after 5th, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner before last, kept on in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Chacun Pour Soi (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Bit keen, tracked leading pair on inside, went 2nd after 1st, not fluent 8th, upsides 12th, led 3 out, almost joined when left well clear at the last, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb beating Janika (11-7) by 14l, 4 ran.
Saint Calvados (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway going well 13th, close up last, edged left flat, led towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Oldgrangewood (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Shattered Love (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leader, closer in 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden after 2 out and kept on one pace under pressure run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Chris's Dream (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
