tracked leaders, progress to dispute before 8th, headed before 4 out and reminder after 3 out, led after next and asserted approaching last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
tracked leader, 3rd at 8th, mistake 10th and dropped to rear, ridden entering straight, no impression on winner in 3rd before last, kept on one pace run-in
held up in rear, 3rd after 4 out, progress to dispute when blundered 2 out, soon no extra and dropped to rear before last
led, joined before 8th, led again before 4 out, joined again when slightly hampered and pecked 2 out, soon headed and no impression on winner approaching last, no extra run-in
Gordon Elliott has found a nice opportunity for DON COSSACK to get over his fall in the King George. The four-times Grade 1 winner was still there with every chance when falling heavily at the second last and connections have decided on a confidence-booster before taking on the big guns again. Although Wounded Warrior only scored twice in his novice campaign, he was also placed twice at the highest level and, as he's still only seven, should be winning his share of races before the season is out. Mount Colah won a Listed chase here a year ago and reappeared with a victory over hurdles on the track in November and though Rubi Light will never recapture the form that saw him land the John Durkan in 2011, he's still a very useful chaser who arrives with a good run behind him after his second to Sir Des Champs on the track in November.
Don Cossack (GER) 15-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 11th, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, ridden and challenging for 2nd when fell 2 out, at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Led, headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Valseur Lido (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Mount Colah (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leader, closer in 3rd before 3rd, progress into 2nd 4 out, led and slight mistake 2 out, under pressure from before last, kept on well run-in to assert close home, won at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Nov beating Daneking (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rubi Light (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led, soon clear, mistake 5 out, reduced lead from between last 2, headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Sir Des Champs (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) sft in Nov.
