chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th before last, no impression on leader last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden before last, 4th and mistake last, no extra run-in
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, fell last
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace straight
held up early, soon mid-division, swift progress to lead before 8th, pressed 5 out, joined before 2 out, led travelling best early straight, ridden last, kept on strongly run to go clear
disputed early, chased leader from before 4th, 3rd halfway, 2nd 6 out, pressed leader next, disputed before 2 out, ridden in 2nd early straight, no impression on winner from last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd close home
disputed, led before 4th, headed before 8th, mistake 7 out, dropped to 4th next, ridden in 6th before 2 out, under pressure entering straight, kept on same pace
settled mid-division, pushed along when stumbled after 3 out, ridden in 7th entering straight, 5th last, kept on well run-in, just held for 2nd at line
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, soon towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, stayed on into 6th last, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, closer in 4th before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon lost position, ridden and no extra entering straight
ROAD TO RESPECT beat Balko Des Flos and Outlander in this a year ago and returned to his very best when slamming that pair in the Grade 1 JNwine.com at Down Royal. He was 6l behind Bellshill in the Punchestown God Cup and Willie Mullins will have trained the latter for this so he must be greatly respected. The champion trainer also has the very progressive Kemboy engaged and though well beaten behind Shattered Love in the JLT at Cheltenham it's likely he can turn the tables on his conqueror. Anibale Fly, placed in the Gold Cup and Grand National, will be at his peak following a run over a trip much too short at Cork but Monalee, who landed a Grade 1 here in February, faces much stronger opposition here and Edwulf's shock victory over Outlander in the Irish Gold Cup here in February has never been replicated.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Led, 1 length clear at 9th, almost joined 4 out, travelled well 3 out, under pressure and headed before last, no extra and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Bellshill (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 4th from 6th, 3rd approaching straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, led before last, went on run-in, kept on closing stages and reduced lead at finish, won at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr beating Djakadam (11-10) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Coney Island (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to rear approaching straight and no impression 3 out, left moderate 5th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Disko (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, travelled well after 3 out and 2 lengths lead next, pushed out run-in and kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Ballyoisin (11-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Edwulf 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, 5th at 8th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, eased before last, tailed off, last of 5, 35 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Kemboy (FR) 11-8fav (11-4) A little keen, slight mistake 1st, raced in 2nd, on terms briefly after 5th, slight mistake 7th, gained narrow lead before 2 out where slight mistake, jumped slightly right last and stayed on best, won at Clonmel 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Alpha Des Obeaux (11-10) by 3l, 5 ran.
Monalee (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Led, pushed along and headed after 3 out, switched left in 3rd approaching next, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Snow Falcon (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Outlander (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 17 3/4l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Road To Respect (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up in rear, slight mistakes 5th and 7th, headway into 2nd 4 out and travelled well to lead next, clear after 2 out and stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Nov beating Woodland Opera (11-10) by 16l, 6 ran.
The Storyteller (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent at 3rd, 4th at 8th, pushed along after 3 out, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 5, 4 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Shattered Love (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake at 7th, closed 4 out, pushed along in 2nd after 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on well in 2nd closing stages, not trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Anibale Fly (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Waited with, slightly impeded 2nd, moderate 5th after 4th, some headway straight, soon one pace, 6th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-4) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
