chased leaders, 5th halfway, dropped to rear 4 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, closer in 6th 3 out, 5th before last, no impression under pressure run-in, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress in 4th 3 out, carried right before last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, 4th halfway, 5th 3 out, ridden straight, no impression in 6th and slight mistake last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, fell 1st
held up in rear, closer in 7th 3 out, pushed along and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
prominent, led after 4th, jumped right, joined 4 out, ridden straight and edged right last, headed run-in, kept on one pace under pressure
led, headed after 4th, 2nd halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden approaching last, led run-in and kept on under pressure to assert close home
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, 3rd halfway, progress to dispute 4 out, ridden approaching last, headed run-in, no extra closing stages
Seven of the last eight have been won by UK raiders including Bobs Worth a year ago. Nicky Henderson's 2012 Gold Cup winner came with a late rattle to land the spoils then took his place in this year's Cheltenham classic but wasn't at his best and couldn't handle LORD WINDERMERE. Jim Culloty's charge was 11 lengths behind Bobs Worth here a year ago but showed at Cheltenham how much he had progressed and gets the vote to confirm the form. First Lieutenant, runner-up last year, is invariably placed at the highest level but keeps on finding one or two too strong, including Boston Bob in the Punchestown God Cup, and that could be the case again. Road To Riches is the fly in the ointment as he's only just worked his way to the top level and was very impressive when landing the JNwine at Down Royal when Boston Bob and First Lieutenant were left struggling. Paul Nicholls loves this race so the fact that he's ending Sam Winner is a tip in itself, though there's no doubt the seven-year-old is facing his stiffest test to date.
Bobs Worth (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up mid-division in touch, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, switched inside to challenge before last, soon ridden and every chance, wandered flat, no extra final 110 yards, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Boston Bob (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) Held up 3rd, hampered at 3rd, closer in 3rd 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, mistake in 2nd at last, kept on, not match winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f chs G1 (1).
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 4 out, went 3rd under pressure 2 out, 2nd at last, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr beating Ballycasey (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 4 out, no extra in 4th after next, weakened, 4th of 8, 50l behind Road To Riches (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) in Nov.
Home Farm (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden before last where pressed, left clear last, eased home run-in (poor visibility), won at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft in Nov beating Foildubh (11-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up 5th, 6th at 2nd, left 4th at 3rd, raced off pace, closer in 4th 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after last, ran on well without threatening winner, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f chs G1 (1).
On His Own (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, dropped to rear and pushed along after 8th, mistake 10th, detached before 12th, no extra, 6th of 8, well behind Road To Riches (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) in Nov.
Road To Riches (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Made all, jumped left, asserted approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) in Nov beating Rocky Creek (11-10) by 11l, 8 ran.
Sam Winner (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Made all, mistake 1st, ridden approaching omitted 3 out, soon hard pressed, stayed on gamely, held on (3 fences in home straight omitted on all circuits), won at Aintree 3m 1f lst chs (1) gd beating Medermit (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Texas Jack (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In rear, 5th at 2nd, slightly hampered and left 2nd at 3rd, closer in 2nd 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden in 3rd after last, no extra and dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 6, 6l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f chs G1 (1).
