chased leader in 2nd, improved to join leader 3 out and disputed, ridden before 2 out where slight mistake, 1-length down and slight mistake last, kept on to press winner run-in, just held close home
led, joined 3 out and disputed, ridden before last where 1-length advantage and slight mistake, strongly pressed run-in, all out close home
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression when mistake 3 out, stayed on well run-in, closest at finish
held up in 4th, slight mistake 5 out, no impression before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
always in rear, no impression from 5 out, trailing entering straight, tailed off
ROAD TO RICHES is the obvious form pick after a superb run behind Vautour in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, where he gave the winner a race for a long way before fading on the run-in. That was only his third run in a year so he should still be fresh and can concede weight all round. Smashing, who went to the Ryanair in top form having completed a hat-trick in small fields, couldn't cope with the pace and will be much better suited by this race. Foxrock missed Cheltenham and is another who hasn't had much racing this winter and his close third behind Don Poli in the Lexus would put him right in the picture, though he didn't run as well in the Irish Gold Cup later. The remaining pair have plenty to find.
Road To Riches (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent 1st, headed next, tracked leader, ridden and every chance after 3 out, no impression on winner from next, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 15, 6 1/2l behind Vautour (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Smashing (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, mistake 4 out, lost place before next, eased down and pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Foxrock (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Prominent, soon chased leader in 2nd, reminder after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, 3rd into straight, one pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 22 1/2l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always rear, slight mistake 6th and mistake next, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Lord Scoundrel (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Feb.
Strongpoint (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Tracked leader to before 5th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 6, 25 1/2l behind The New One (11-12) at Haydock 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
