held up behind, outpaced after 4 out, ridden after next, never on terms with leaders
led to after 2nd, remained prominent, challenged when mistake 3 out, soon upsides, hampered by leader next, ridden between last 2, led after last, stayed on strongly flat
with leader, led after 2nd, blundered next, joined 3 out, headed approaching next, ridden and outpaced by front pair between last 2, stayed on to take 2nd closing stages, no impression with winner
tracked leaders, lost place when reached for 11th, 6th but still in touch when fell 4 out
in touch on inside, chased front pair when switched outside after 3 out, led approaching next where went badly left, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace, well held when lost 2nd closing stages
in touch, pressed leader from 3rd until 9th, lost place 12th, outpaced in last pair 4 out, left behind from next, tailed off
hampered start, soon in touch on outside, close up in 4th when fell 4 out
held up in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, left 4th 4 out, outpaced after next, stayed on to dispute 3rd at last, one pace flat
standing sideways when whipped round and unseated rider start
NonRunner
Irish-trained horses filled the first three places last year and have won four of the five renewals. Outlander beat the useful Monksland in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month with Zabana behind. He had several entries this week so it's significant to see him turning up in this, though his one run on good ground at last year's Festival was a little disappointing. Quicker going won't both GARDE LA VICTOIRE, who handled these fences well enough when beating Arkle third Fox Norton over 2m in November. He'd put the five-year-old Bristol De Mai in his place at Uttoxeter earlier when conceding 9lb and has won over this longer trip so can extend his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles. Black Hercules looks a stayer and may find things happening too quickly today while Three Musketeers ran poorly here on New Year's Day. L'Ami Serge got brought down to earth by Violet Dancer at Warwick and is another who would have preferred softer going and As De Mee is held by Bristol De Mai on Sandown running.
As De Mee (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked winner until 5th and from 6th until before 7th, not fluent 12th, ridden to take 2nd again before 2 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Bristol De Mai (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Feb.
Black Hercules (IRE) 4-11fav (11-3) Chased leader and prominent, disputed briefly from 5th to 7th, 3rd halfway, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, led and travelled best before last, 1-length advantage when fell last, at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Made all, clear last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Feb beating As De Mee (11-3) by 6l, 4 ran.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 1-6fav (11-10) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, jumped left 6th, challenged next, led 3 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m (3) hvy in Jan beating Doctor Harper (11-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 1-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped left and brushed fence upright 6th, went 2nd next, ridden when went left 2 out, beaten when mistake last, no extra, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Violet Dancer (11-4) at Warwick 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Mount Gunnery 11-10fav (11-12) Close up and disputed lead, slight mistakes 5th and 4 out, gained narrow lead approaching straight travelling smoothly, pushed along to assert from 2 out, ridden out run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 2f hvy in Feb beating After Aspen (11-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
Outlander (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Close up in 2nd, slightly slow 7th, travelling smoothly and challenged straight, gained narrow lead before last where left with decisive advantage, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Monksland (11-10) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Three Musketeers (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up on outside, headway 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, soon beaten, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 7, 32l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Zabana (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Soon raced in 3rd, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, 4th at 9th, not fluent 10th, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon no impression, no extra straight, 4th of 6, 23 3/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) In touch, joined leader 4 out (usual 5 out), led 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden approaching omitted last, held on towards finish (4 fences omitted), won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Waldorf Salad (10-1) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
