disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, not fluent 4th, led briefly 5th, pushed along approaching straight, soon on terms, headed 3 out, no impression next, eased close home and just held on for 2nd
disputed lead early, soon led, not fluent 5th and headed briefly, soon led again, joined into straight, led 3 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well from before last, easily
soon moderate 4th, slight mistake 5th, went 3rd at 11th, some headway into straight, not fluent 3 out and no impression, not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in, almost got 2nd place
soon moderate 3rd, not always fluent jumping, dropped to 4th at 11th, soon no danger, no extra and eased into straight
in rear and behind, dropped further behind and no danger from before 8th, slight mistake next
ON HIS OWN hasn't been able to repeat last season's heroics which saw him complete a double before beaten a short-head in the Gold Cup. He couldn't go with Coneygree in this year's renewal at Cheltenham but an earlier close second to Road To Riches in the Lexus Chase gives him the beating of these. Roi Du Mee has bounced back to his best after a spell in the doldrums and he's beaten some decent horses in the process though it's difficult to imagine him conceding weight to the selection. Toon River was receiving 5lb from Letter Of Credit when beating him around 3l at Gowran in February so there should be little between that pair here.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 9-10fav (11-10) Led, joined 14th, led again after next, pressed 2 out, stayed on best run-in, won at Down Royal 3m 2f chs in Mar beating Yes Tom (11-0) by 4l, 3 ran.
On His Own (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Tended to jump right, disputed 2nd until tracked winner 9th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace and no impression from next, 5th of 16, 24l behind Coneygree (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) sft in Mar.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 2 out where fell, in a race won by Miss Xian (9-10) at Naas 3m hcap ch sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Sonny B (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Soon chased leader, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 11th, mistake 5 out, improved to challenge before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, close 3rd and challenged last, no extra closing stages run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Miss Xian (9-10) at Naas 3m hcap ch sft in Mar.
Lisrose (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened quickly after 4 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Hard Bought (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Toon River (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Always prominent, disputed lead from 7th, led 3 out, went clear and not fluent 2 out, pushed along approaching last stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcap ch sft in Mar beating Treat Yourself (10-5) by 13l, 11 ran.
Bothair Clei (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge 2 out, narrow lead before last, kept on under pressure run-in, headed on line, 2nd of 8, ns behind Miss Xian (9-10) at Naas 3m hcap ch sft in Mar.
