held up in last, not fluent 14th, pushed along to chase leaders 4 out, hard ridden after 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on same pace, unable to quite challenge
held up, headway approaching 8th, closed 3 out, carried right before going into close 2nd last, held by winner flat, stayed on same pace
prominent, led after 4 out, headed and ridden 3 out, hung right approaching last, soon 4th and beaten, one pace
prominent until not fluent 3rd, tracked leaders, hit 7th, not fluent and lost place 9th, ridden and last before 12th, hit 14th and 15th, soon well beaten
held up in touch, hit 15th, soon ridden, close up when slow 2 out, 5th and no extra before last
led, mistake 13th, headed after 4 out, led again next, edged left after 2 out, soon wandered, idled towards finish, ridden out
Cheltenham doesn't seem to suit Silviniaco Conti but he gave his all when fourth in the Gold Cup and finished a long way ahead of Houblon Des Obeaux. He beat Ryanair Chase winner Dynaste fair and square in the King George and won a Grade 2 novice chase at this meeting two years ago. Possibly an unlucky loser in this 12 months ago, he shouldn't be far away again but last year's winner FIRST LIEUTENANT looks as though he's been kept back for another tilt having by-passed Cheltenham. Mouse Morris' charge almost beat Bob's Worth in the Lexus in December and is a genuine Grade 1 chaser. Last year's second Menorah has a bit to prove at present and Gowran scorer Argocat will have to run the race of his life to keep up with the majority of these.
Argocat (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up, mainly 3rd, progress into 2nd after 4 out, challenged entering straight, led 3 out, soon ridden, mistake last and strongly pressed, all out run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Turban (11-3) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Dynaste (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, closed to take 3rd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, driven and stayed on well, edged right towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar beating Hidden Cyclone (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression on winner entering straight, under pressure and kept on one pace, no extra run-in and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) in Feb.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Raced wide, held up in touch, outpaced when mistake 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 13, 25l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Menorah (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, lost place 12th, well beaten 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 17th, led narrowly 4 out, ridden and hard pressed when edged left flat, soon headed and hung right, no extra, 4th of 13, 2l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
