led, slightly slow 1st and soon disputed, slight mistakes 10th and 6 out, headed 4 out, left disputing and hampered 2 out, soon ridden in 3rd, stayed on to join leader last, disputed run-in and kept on well, just denied at line
held up, 5th halfway, slight mistake 11th, closer in 4th after 4 out, left challenging 2 out, soon ridden in 2nd, stayed on to lead before last, joined last and disputed run-in, kept on well, just prevailed at line
chased leaders, mainly 3rd, improved to challenge 5 out, led next, fell 2 out
soon led and disputed, slight mistake 5 out, soon reminders, headed before next where slight mistake, soon ridden in 3rd, no extra approaching 2 out
held up, 6th halfway, closer in 5th after 4 out, left disputing 2 out, soon led, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on one pace
held up, mainly rear, ridden 3 out, no impression when slightly hampered 2 out, no extra before last
chased leaders, mainly 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, left 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
The veteran ON HIS OWN won this in 2014 before his best-ever run when just touched off by Lord Windermere in the Gold Cup. He showed that there's still a big race in him when a close fourth behind Don Poli in the Lexus but jumped poorly in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago. This isn't the greatest Grade 2 ever run and he's taken to get back to winning ways. Willie Mullins also runs Boston Bob and Turban. The former completed a brilliant double at Punchestown and Aintree in 2014 but hasn't been in anything like that kind of form in recent runs while the latter, who generally runs well around here, has also been struggling for form. Mala Beach has only had six runs over fences and has proved himself smart, though so far hasn't done it at this level and might have to settle for a place.
On His Own (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, soon led and clear, inclined to jump slightly right, reduced lead from 8th, bad mistake 10th, soon joined briefly, pressed again and bad mistake 2 out, soon headed, dropped to 7th into straight, weakened and eased run-in, 8th of 10, dist behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Boston Bob (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division, pecked 2nd, 13th halfway, pushed along and no impression in rear 5 out, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Mala Beach (IRE) 5-1fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 8th, 7th halfway, progress before 3 out, challenged and pecked 2 out, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 18, 1 1/4l behind My Murphy (10-5) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra approaching straight, weakened, tailed off, 10th of 18, dist behind My Murphy (10-5) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Turban (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, progress 3 out, 7th entering straight, ridden in 4th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 18 1/4l behind Ballyadam Approach (9-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Vics Canvas (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along and no extra 4 out, pulled up before next, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Baie Des Iles (FR) 3-1fav (10-4) Chased leader, ridden in 2nd entering straight, pressed winner last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Bonny Kate (10-1) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
