held up in rear, behind 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, took keen hold, not much room 1st, closed before 4th, not fluent 2 out, weakened and hung left from 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place when not much room 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up rear of mid-division, mistake 4th, 9th and driven before 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, nearest finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, led approaching 3 out, still going ok but pressed when ducked left and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, jumped left and mistake 1st, lost place after 3 out, no impression after
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, stayed on under pressure, no chance with winner
led, clear after 2nd until before 4th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
in touch in mid-division, took keen hold, hampered on bend after 4 out, closed 3 out, went 2nd briefly after 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, weakened flat
mid-division on inside, closed after 5th, headway when not fluent 4 out, hampered by loose horse after 2 out, soon went 3rd, stayed on, no impression on fornt pair
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on approaching last, never in contention
in rear, behind 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, took keen hold, mistake 1st, headway 4 out, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch in mid-division, closed after 4th, hit 6th, went 2nd 3 out, challenging when left in lead 2 out, clear before last, easily
held up towards rear, bumped 2nd, shaken up 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never nearer
tracked leader until after 3rd, stayed handy, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
John Ferguson has made a sensational start to his training career and a victory for the unbeaten Cotton Mill would be the icing on the cake. However, this is by far his stiffest test to date and Ireland look to have a very powerful team. Benefficient gained a shock 50/1 victory over Sous Les Cieux in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown a month ago but that was over 2m2f and the longer trip will suit the runner-up, who should reverse the form and go well. Willie Mullins also runs Felix Yonger, who was impressive when landing a Grade 2 at Naas over 2m and should have no problems staying the extra. MONKSLAND hasn't had much experience but was always travelling nicely when slamming subsequent winner Lyreen Legend at Naas and, with more progress expected, can take this for Noel Meade. Simonsig is an obvious danger to all after his superb run behind Fingal Bay at Sandown and showed his wellbeing with a trot round Kelso a month ago.
Baldadash (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, edged left and no impression on front pair before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Opening Batsman (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Benefficient (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Made all, ridden to assert early straight, kept on under pressure from before last, diminishing lead but held on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb beating Sous Les Cieux (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Brass Tax (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Tracked winner, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, kept on from last, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Fiulin (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Close House Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, led 3 out, hard pressed next, edged left approaching last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec beating Sunglasses (10-11) by 4l, 14 ran.
Cotton Mill 11-2 (11-4) Always prominent, mistake 6th, led when not fluent 2 out, edged right approaching last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Ambion Wood (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Double Ross (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Led until 2nd, led next until before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 17th of 20, 37l behind Zarkandar (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Feb.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 2nd, ridden to lead after 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well under pressure to assert run-in, won at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Dressedtothenines (10-11) by 3l, 8 ran.
Fiulin 6-4fav (11-3) Made all, soon clear until 3 out, kept on, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Brass Tax (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Make Your Mark (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, good headway on outer to go 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Monksland (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Waited with, closed to track leaders approaching straight, challenged travelling best from between last 2, led and hit last, asserted run-in and flicked tail when clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan beating Lyreen Legend (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Nagpur (FR) 9-4 (11-3) Led, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Golden Gael (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Feb.
Natural High (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th after 3 out, challenged in 2nd when bad mistake 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Galway 2m mdn hdl gd in Jul beating Dowd's Angle (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Nelson's Bridge (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, slightly outpaced 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, soon challenged, wandered between last 2, ridden to lead narrowly when carried head awkwardly flat, just held on, won at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan beating Dualla Lord (11-5) by nk, 14 ran.
Simonsig 2-7fav (11-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, going well when not fluent last, led on bit run-in, hard held, won at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Knockara Beau (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Sous Les Cieux (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Held up in rear, slight mistake 2 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, headway to go 2nd at last, kept on under pressure without reaching winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Benefficient (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Sunny Ledgend 5-4fav (11-1) Led to 2nd, with leader, led narrowly before 4 out, left clear 3 out, stayed on from last, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Clarion Call (10-7) by 11l, 13 ran.
Secret Edge 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Batonnier (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Batonnier (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, steady headway 3 out, challenged last, led flat, ridden out flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan beating Broadbackbob (11-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
The Tracey Shuffle 3-10fav (11-4) Made all, clear after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, eased last 100 yards, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Wilde Pastures (11-4) by 31l, 7 ran.
