tracked leaders, pecked slightly 2nd, 3rd halfway, pushed along 4 out, no impression after next and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, slight mistake 8th, in touch when fell 3 out
tracked leader, led briefly after 1st, 2nd halfway, mistake 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression on winner in straight, no extra run-in
led, slow 1st and briefly headed, slight mistake 5th, 3 lengths lead halfway, ridden after 2 out and mistake last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
Henry De Bromhead v Willie Mullins and though Colreevy and Franco De Port are Grade 1 winning chasers the finish will surely feature just ENVOI ALLEN and Monkfish. The former blotted his copybook at Cheltenham having looked unstoppable in all of his previous starts, recording five Grade 1 victories in the process, while Monkfish defied a couple of errors at the Festival where he oozed class throughout to record his fourth victory at the highest level. The former needs to demonstrate he stays this far but his style of racing suggests he could be even better at this trip though Mullins will ensure a strong gallop throughout despite the small field.
Envoi Allen (FR) 4-9fav (11-4) Chased leaders, fell 4th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Franco De Port (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 1st, 6th halfway, pushed along entering straight, not fluent 3 out, ridden in 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression but stayed on to go 2nd at last, kept on same pace, no threat to winner from last, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Janidil (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Monkfish (IRE) 1-4fav (11-4) Led, slow 2nd, not fluent and headed 8th, led 4 out, soon headed, led again 3 out, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of 2nd but had loose horse just in front when mistake last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar beating Fiddlerontheroof (11-4) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Colreevy (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Led until 2nd, led 6th , headed next, led and tended to jump right from 8th, hard pressed 2 out, headed narrowly 150 yards out, edged right, led and brushed rival 75 yards out, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar beating Elimay (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
