raced in 3rd, 2nd after 14th travelling smoothly, on terms before 4 out, soon led, asserted from after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on well run-in, very easily
raced in 2nd, led from 3rd, soon 2nd again, under pressure from 14th, no impression from after 3 out, kept on same pace, just prevailed for 2nd
led, headed from 3rd, soon led again, not fluent 10th and joined, led again 13th, slight mistake 14th, soon under pressure, joined before 4 out, soon headed and no impression, one pace, just denied for 2nd
in rear, hit 3rd, closer order 14th, under pressure from 3 out to chase leaders, no extra in last from before 2 out
Road To Riches won this easily a year ago beating Rocky Creek, who won a Grade 3 at Kempton later but pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury and the bet365 at Sandown in between finishing mid-division in the Grand National. He is a decent stayer on his day but it's difficult to imagine him having the quality to cope with DON COSSACK. Gordon Elliott's star won six times over fences last season, including Grade 1 races at Aintree and Punchestown, and his only defeat came in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. He had a nice warm-up with an easy victory over Roi Du Mee, who won this in 2013, at Punchestown a couple of weeks ago and this looks at his mercy. Texas Jack completes a disappointing line-up and though not far behind the selection at Punchestown in December went backwards after that.
Don Cossack (GER) 1-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, soon last, inclined to jump slightly left, closed 8th, soon 3rd, 2nd approaching straight, on terms 2 out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) gd in Oct beating Roi Du Mee (11-8) by 12l, 5 ran.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led until after 2nd, chased leader, dropped to 3rd approaching 4th, chased leaders, pushed along 17th, weakening when stumbled 4 out, soon pulled up, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Led, slightly awkward 4th, edged left briefly at road before 8th, mistake 9th and joined, soon headed, on terms 12th, led again before 3 out, joined 2 out, soon headed and no impression, eased run-in, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) gd in Oct.
Texas Jack (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Soon tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, one pace from before last, 5th of 7, 10l behind Cailin Annamh (10-13) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
