held up towards rear, jumped right and not fluent 2nd, closed next, went 3rd last, no impression on winner but pressed for 2nd flat, no extra and edged left final 75 yards
chased leader, fell 4th
held up in mid-division, hampered 4th, slow and in rear 7th, well beaten after 3 out, hampered last
chased leaders, hampered 4th, closed 4 out, went 2nd going well 3 out, led and bumped 2 out, asserting last, stayed on well flat
held up in rear on inside, headway 3 out, not much room 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on flat but no impression on winner
held up towards rear, raced keenly, closed on outside 9th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, 5th when jumped left last, soon weakened
held up in rear on outside, switched right and some headway 3 out, soon ridden, about 6 lengths 6th when fell last
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, hampered and unseated rider 4th
chased leaders on inside, lost place after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat but no impression
raced freely, led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, well behind when jumped right last
jumped right, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, left 2nd next, challenged 9th, led before 3 out, bumped into rival and headed 2 out, lost 2nd last, weakened into 5th flat
Edwardstone has won all four chase starts since brought down on his debut at Warwick when apparently travelling best. But he’s run twice at The Festival before and has yet to place and not many eight-year-olds have won this. War Lord was beaten 16 lengths by the favourite at Sandown in December but that remains the only defeat over fences suffered so far by Colin Tizzard’s grey, who wasn’t given a hard time and should probably be a lot shorter than his forecast SP despite the level of opposition. Brave Seasca was beaten by Alan King’s charge on better terms at Warwick so this can go to BLUE LORD, who made it 3-3 over the larger obstacles when getting the better of Riviere D'etel and Saint Sam in the Irish version of the Arkle at Leopardstown. The runner-up was possibly a bit unlucky that day but the winner was still showing signs of inexperience so did well to hold on. Haut En Couleurs fell in that race but had earlier beaten a useful novice on his chasing bow and ran well at The Festival last year so can't be ignored Magic Daze looks the pick of the remainder as she is another who ran well here last year.
Blue Lord (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out and went 2nd after next, pushed along before last, ridden to lead early run-in and edged left, kept on, under pressure and held on closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb beating Riviere D'etel (11-3) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Brave Seasca (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leader, mistake 4th, led after 8th, headed 4 out, disputing 2nd and no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 4, 5 3/4l behind Edwardstone (11-5) at Warwick 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Coeur Sublime (IRE) 1-6fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, led on outer 3 out, soon went clear travelling well, not fluent at last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan beating Duchess Ravenwaves (11-7) by 10l, 12 ran.
Edwardstone 10-11fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led 4 out, in command 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m (1) gs in Feb beating Third Time Lucki (11-5) by 4 1/4l, 4 ran.
Gabynako (FR) 6-4 (11-12) Soon prominent, slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along, no extra approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, 28 1/4l behind Master McShee (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Haut En Couleurs (FR) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th when fell 3rd, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Red Rookie 11-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, closed from 6th but front pair well clear, went 3rd after 4 out, 8 lengths down 3 out, closing more 2 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m (3) gs in Jan beating Galice Macalo (10-5) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Saint Sam (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Led, slight mistake 2nd, 4 lengths lead halfway, slight mistake 2 out and headed, 3rd and pushed along entering straight, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Blue Lord (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
War Lord (GER) 11-10fav (11-8) Jumped well, tracked leader, upsides from 3 out, led run-in, ridden and stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m (2) hvy in Jan beating Faivoir (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Magic Daze (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Led, mistake 3rd, jumped right 7th, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, joined last, headed run-in, no extra in 3rd final 50 yards, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Concertista (11-2) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Riviere D'etel (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, closer after 4 out, led 2 out, pushed along entering straight and mistake last, soon headed and slightly hampered, switched right, kept on well under pressure closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Blue Lord (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
