held up in touch on outside, still going well when fell 10th
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 14th, led narrowly 2 out (usual 3 out), headed approaching last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner in clear 2nd approaching omitted last
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th (water), went 3rd 4 out (usual 5 out), no chance with front pair after, weakened last (usual 2 out)
not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, lost place 14th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out)
led, headed narrowly 2 out (usual 3 out), regained lead approaching last, ridden clear approaching omitted last, stayed on well (3 fences omitted)
held up behind in touch, some headway 3 out (usual 4 out), stayed on to take modest 3rd before last (usual 2 out), no chance with front pair
tracked winner, pushed along when mistake and lost place 14th, struggling next, weakened 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off when pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
in touch, dropped to last pair but in touch 5th, struggling 11th, behind 14th, plugged on to take modest 4th flat, no chance with leaders
If DJAKADAM is to retain his place at the head of the Gold Cup market, then he needs to score with authority and is taken to do just that. Runner-up in last year's Gold Cup, he was most impressive when landing the John Durkan last time and clearly Willie Mullins is revolving his entire season around going one better in this year's championship race. At the age of seven, he can still improve considerably and should take this en route to the Festival. Last year's winner and subsequent Grand National victor, Many Clouds, went well last time behind the selection's stablemate Don Poli and should give another good account, but at current prices Smad Place makes each-way appeal. He couldn't have won the Hennessy Gold Cup more easily and this test will suit far more than his latest run in Kempton's King George. O'Faolains Boy is still rather under the radar but slammed Sausolito Sunrise last time and needs keeping on the right side.
Djakadam (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Chased leader, led before 2nd, pressed 5 out, asserted after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on strongly run-in to go clear, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Valseur Lido (11-10) by 12l, 7 ran.
Many Clouds (IRE) 13-8 (11-10) Pressed leader, led approaching 12th, joined 3 out, ridden before last, headed flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Don Poli (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Sam Winner (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Led, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, headed before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 15l behind Cue Card (11-0) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Oct.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, clear 3 out, ridden between last two, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Newbury 2m 7f (2) sft in Dec beating Sausalito Sunrise (11-7) by 15l, 4 ran.
Smad Place (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Cue Card (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Held up towards raer, hit 12th, headway approaching 17th, 3rd run-in, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 12l behind Smad Place (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Wakanda (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 3rd until 10th, chased leader until led again 13th, strongly pressed from 2 out, soon ridden, held on gamely, won at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec beating Virak (11-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
The Giant Bolster 16-1 (11-3) Mistakes, hit 1st and mistake 11th, weakened next, 9th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
