soon disputed lead on outer, mistake 1st, headed 4th, slight mistake next, slight mistake and pushed along 8th, soon no impression in moderate 4th
tracked leaders, went 3rd at 9th, 3rd travelling fine entering straight, ridden from 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
disputed lead, led from 6th and made rest, travelling well 2 out, went clear 2 out, pushed along before last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
disputed lead early, headed 2nd, dropped to 4th next, last and jumped left at 7th, no impression from 4 out, trailing
disputed lead, took keen hold, slight mistake 3rd, headed 6th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on one pace
BACHASSON (NAP) last ran over fences in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup when falling behind Native River. He'd completed a hat-trick to earn his place in the line-up and his subsequent runs over hurdles point to his chances here. He didn't get the best of runs in the Coral Cup a fortnight ago but was only beaten 7 lengths. Discordantly put his jumping problems behind him with a clear-cut victory at Gowran though has to concede 6lb to the selection as does Mortal, who hasn't fulfilled the promise shown when making a successful chasing debut at Fairyhouse. Death Duty looked a cracking chasing prospect when landing the Grade 1 Drinmore on the latter track but that was in December 2017 and he's only had four subsequent starts. The selection's stable companion Bonbon Au Miel has only had two runs since landing a beginners' chase at Navan in January 2018.
Discordantly (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Prominent, on terms after 3rd, soon led, joined approaching straight, regained lead 2 out, soon went on and stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Montagne D'Argent (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mortal (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Towards rear, slight mistake 6th, headway 4 out, 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out), improved to dispute lead entering straight, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra run-in, 4th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Gun Digger (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Bachasson (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Held up behind, headway after 2 out, ridden to chase leaders before last, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 25, 7 1/4l behind Dame De Compagnie (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Bonbon Au Miel (FR) 16-1 (10-12) In rear, big jump and mistake 3rd, ridden in 8th 4 out, no impression and pulled up before 2 out, at Naas 3m hcp sft in Mar.
Death Duty (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) In touch on outside, mistake 3rd, tracked leaders 3 out, driven and one pace before next, soon ridden and no impression, weakened after last, 10th of 23, 15 1/4l behind Simply The Betts (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
