soon tracked leaders, 3rd at 7th, pushed along before 2 out, soon one pace
held up, 7th at 7th, pushed along in 9th approaching 2 out where fell heavily
soon led, almost joined from 4 out, joined from before straight, headed before last, no extra and one pace run-in
soon towards rear, last at 7th, closed to track leaders in 4th before straight where raced on outer, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
towards rear, slight mistakes early, 8th at 7th, closed up travelling smoothly to be prominent before straight, led before last where fell
soon towards rear, 9th at 7th, slow jump 8th, soon pulled up
chased leaders, 5th at 7th, no impression straight and fell last
soon tracked leaders, 4th at 7th, almost on terms from 4 out, bad mistake 2 out and not recover, kept on same pace without threatening straight
always prominent, 2nd at 7th, on terms before straight, headed before last where left in lead, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, headed close home
mid-division early, 6th at 7th, slight mistake 11th, pushed along before 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
Sizing John won this a year ago when Minella Rocco unseated his rider at the fifth. The latter went on to finish runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but like Djakadam, fourth in the Festival classic, he's been in nowhere near that kind of form and both appear to be specialists around Prestbury Park. The winner's yard is represented here by the impressive Irish National winner Our Duke, who was expected to make the transition into the highest class in the JNwine at Down Royal but ran too badly to be true behind surprise winner Outlander. He was obviously out of sorts that day but has a three-months absence to overcome and the winner, who ran very well when third behind Road To Respect here over Christmas, can confirm the form. Anibale Fly won the Paddy Power in great style but KILLULTAGH VIC is taken to announce himself on the big stage over fences. A brilliant hurdler who beat Thistlecrack in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in 2015, he's only had two starts over fences but a run back over timber on New Year's Eve, his first start for almost two years, will have put him straight and he's handed the vote.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leader in 2nd, closer halfway, led after 4 out, headed after 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression in 4th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Presenting Percy (11-3) at Gowran Park 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
Anibale Fly (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Soon chased leaders, 8th at 7th, moderate 6th and progress approaching 3 out, led into straight, asserted and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec beating Ucello Conti (11-5) by 7l, 28 ran.
Djakadam (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd after 7th, slight mistake 10th, not fluent 4 out, mistake 3 out and weakened, eased from before straight and pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Edwulf 66-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, 10th after 7th, detached 12th, no impression 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 9-10fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistakes 1st and 2nd, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, pushed along in 3rd after 2 out, headway to challenge when slight mistake last, soon led and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Ex Patriot (11-8) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Mala Beach (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 6th, headway into 2nd 3 out, led next and soon ridden clear, reduced advantage inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Dont Tell No One (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 21 ran.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Jumped big 6th, slightly impeded 7th, soon raced in 9th, effort on outer into straight, no impression in 4th and kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 12, 9l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Our Duke (IRE) 5-6fav (11-10) Mid-division, slow 3rd, dropped to rear when mistake 9th, slight mistake next and pushed along, soon detached, no impression 5 out, no extra in straight, 7th of 8, dist behind Outlander (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Outlander (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th after 7th, slightly slow 11th, challenged from before last where slight mistake, switched right run-in, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Valseur Lido (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, slightly impeded 7th, soon raced in 8th, not fluent 4 out,, 5th of 12, 14l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
