led to 1st, chased winner until hit and reminders 7th, outpaced 2 out, kept on flat
held up, keen, brought down 3rd
mid-division, headway 8th, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home
in touch, ridden after 8th, weakened 3 out, behind when fell 2 out
in touch, fell 3rd
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, hard ridden approaching last, no extra flat
held up, hampered 3rd, headway 6th, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on flat
took keen hold, led, pecked 1st, hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well
held up, close 8th when blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up, close 7th when blundered and unseated rider 9th
behind, hampered 3rd, soon lost touch
held up, mistake and unseated rider 1st
Moscow Flyer is already a national hero and if he could win a third Queen Mother Chase he will no doubt reach legendary status. However the signs are not good from the stable and so we have to opt for Kauto Star, with Central House and Fota Island two others with strong claims. Kauto Star came over from France with big reputation but injury curtailed his progress last season. However the enforced break has worked wonders and he has returned better than ever. His defeat of Ashley Brook in the Tingle Creek was gained in great style as he travelled well throughout and jumped superbly. After the race jockey Mick Fitzgerald said the horse hated the soft ground and so with firmer going expected this afternoon his claims are enhanced. If Moscow Flyer is back to his very best he will be very hard to beat, but the vibes from the stable are not good and he has been a bit hit and miss this season. It is not impossible that the sight of the Prestbury Park course could rekindle his enthusiasm and if so watch out. Fota Island landed a Grade two event at Fairyhouse in good style and will be a fresh horse having had just two outings this season. In that contest he had Central House well beaten, but the Dessie Hughes trained gelding was never jumping that day and is better judged on his last effort when beating Jim and Accordion Etoile in the Tied Cottage Chase. He should make his presence felt as should the French raider Kario De Sormain, but the strongest claims are held by Kauto Star, our confident selection.
Central House 11-4 (11-12) Made all, ridden and joined briefly after 3 out, stayed on strongly from next, won at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Jim (11-10) by 6l, 5 ran.
Dempsey (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, pressed approaching last, headed soon after and no extra run-in, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Tysou (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Feb.
Fota Island (IRE) 11-8 (11-7) Close 3rd, 4th 4 out, headway to lead next, stayed on well from 2 out, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Old Flame (11-4) by 4l, 4 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Jumped left, led 2nd, narrowly headed 7th, fell next fell at the 8th in race won by Our Vic (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Kauto Star (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, led 4 out, in command 2 out, 4 lengths clear when hit last, idled and driven out run-in, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (A) sft in Dec beating Ashley Brook (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mister McGoldrick 4-1 (11-10) Led at fast pace, steadied approaching 4th, clear again after next, headed 3 out, chasing winner and held when slightly hampered next, no impression and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Don't Be Shy (10-11) at Lingfield 2m chs Grd 2.
Moscow Flyer (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Close up in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, 3rd and ridden to challenge after 2 out, no impression from last, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 5l behind Hi Cloy (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Newmill (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, smooth headway into 3rd 6 out, 2nd after 3 out, led after next, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Mossy Green (11-8) by 4l, 7 ran.
Oneway (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) In rear, soon pushed along, left 3rd 3 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 5, well behind Mister McGoldrick (11-8) at Wetherby 2m chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.
River City (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 3 out, every chance from 2 out, ran on, 2nd of 5, nk behind Bambi De L'orme (11-0) at Warwick 2m chs (B) gf in May.
Watson Lake (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved travelling well 4 out, disputed lead briefly after next, ridden after 2 out, no extra when mistake last, 4th of 5, 8l behind Central House (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Kario De Sormain (FR) (11-3) Made most, very easily, won at Fontainebleau 2m 3f hdl sft in Feb beating Jet Royal (10-6) by 2l, 16 ran.
Accordion Etoile (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, 4th from 5th, progress into 3rd and ridden after 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Central House (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
