held up in rear, closer 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure but still 1 length down when left clear after last
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, niggled along after 7 out, ridden and dropped to rear after 5 out, eased and pulled up before next (rider reported never travelling)
settled in rear, in touch approaching 4 out, pushed along and no impression next, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, headway to dispute 10th, led 6 out, headed after 4 out and soon struggling in 5th, left distant 4th after last
led, joined 10th, headed 6 out, led again after 4 out, headed entering straight, soon no impression and dropped to 3rd, no extra after 2 out, left moderate 3rd after last
tracked leaders in 6th, went 3rd after 5 out, headway to lead entering straight, driven along from 2 out, under pressure but still 1 length advantage when mistake and unseated rider last
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along and weakened after 5 out, behind when mistake and unseated rider next
prominent, 2nd when reminders after 6th, pushed along and dropped to 4th after 5 out, no impression under pressure early straight, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, left 2nd after last, kept on one pace
This revolves around KAUTO STAR and whether the great champion has recovered from his exertions in the Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls' superstar looked almost back to his very best at Cheltenham where he travelled well until tiring from two out. His stablemate and Gold Cup runner-up Denman was firmly put in his place by Nacarat on his next start at Aintree and he could have been feeling the effects of his incredible run in the big one. Nacarat will love the ground and should make it a real test though he's generally finished behind Kauto Star when they have met in the past. Kempes, who blundered his way around behind Long Run in the Gold Cup, will be seen to much better effect on this track where he won the Champion Novice Chase a year ago and was at his best when landing the Hennessy at Leopardstown in February. Tranquil Sea was only sixth in this a year ago and for all his talent he has yet to show he's capable of winning at this level over today's trip. Follow The Plan couldn't cope with Nacarat at Aintree and appears unlikely to do so here and is closely matched with Roberto Goldback on their 1-2 at Thurles in January.
Follow The Plan (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in rear and took keen hold, headway from 3 out, went 3rd from next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Nacarat (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Kauto Star (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 12th, headed narrowly 3 out, ridden and rallied approaching last, kept on same pace and no impression flat, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Long Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Kempes (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up behind, struggling 15th, lost touch and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Long Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Nacarat (FR) 7-2 (11-7) With leader, led 5th, ridden clear before last, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Apr beating Carole's Legacy (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Rare Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 11th, headed before next, mistake 14th, every chance when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (10-5) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Roberto Goldback (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Raced in 2nd, slight mistake 9th, closed 5 out, carried left before 2 out where gained narrow lead, stayed on well under pressure to assert run-in, won at Cork 3m lst chs (1) gd in Apr beating Swift Counsel (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 48l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Apr.
Vic Venturi (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) In touch when brought down 2nd, in a race won by Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
