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
held up in rear, 5th at 8th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, eased before last, tailed off
raced 3rd, travelled well after 3 out, closed 2 out where not much room on inner, pushed along to lead before last, driven out run-in, reduced advantage closing stages
towards rear, not fluent at 3rd, 4th at 8th, pushed along after 3 out, kept on without threatening run-in
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
MIN hasn't fulfilled the exalted expectations of him after landing the Grade 1 Racing Post Novices' Chase at Leopardstown two years ago but he's competed at a high level and still has time on his side. Balko Des Flos beat Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair at Cheltenham and appeared to be feeling the effects when well beaten at Aintree and again when not appearing to stay 3m in the JNwine at Down Royal last month. Edwulf, the shock winner of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, was well beaten at Cheltenham and at the Festival here and will probably find this on the short side. Gordon Elliott's pair The Storyteller and Shattered Love are both winners at this level, the former having 8l to spare over his stable companion in the Champion Novice Chase here in April though the latter looked to be having an off day and reversed the form in a Down Royal Grade 2 last month.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd briefly after 11th, pushed along and no impression in 4th 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, 4th of 6, dist behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Edwulf 8-1 (11-10) In rear early, 8th from 6th, some progress and a little slow 4 out, 7th approaching straight, soon one pace, 7th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Min (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 3rd entering straight, soon no impression in 4th, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
The Storyteller (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, no impression in moderate 4th 4 out, pushed along and no extra after next, kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Snow Falcon (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Shattered Love (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, jumped right 3rd and 4th, pushed along 3 out and ridden approaching next, no impression on winner before last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Snow Falcon (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
