took keen hold early, chased leaders, closer in 3rd approaching 4 out, slight mistake next, under pressure in 4th approaching straight, no impression 2 out, no extra and not fluent last
disputed lead, led from 1st, jumped well, travelling smoothly and quickened to assert from before last, stayed on well, impressive
disputed lead, slight mistake 1st and headed, raced in 2nd, pushed along briefly after 4th and 7th, under pressure approaching straight, joined for 2nd 2 out, soon 3rd and no impression, one pace
chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon chased winner, no impression from before last, one pace
held up in rear, closer order approaching 4 out, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression, eased approaching 2 out, tailed off
Willie Mullins has suffered some reverses already at the meeting but it would be a shock of major proportions if DOUVAN joined the list. Unbeaten in all ten starts since his debut in France, the brilliant winner of the Arkle at Cheltenham and the Maghull at Aintree has nothing to fear from Sizing John and The Game Changer on those runs and they appear his main rivals. Baltimore Rock was back pedalling when falling in the Arkle and Ttebbob pulled up when Douvan beat Sizing John easily in the Racing Post at Leopardstown. Mr Picotee has his first start in Grade company and looks completely outclassed.
Baltimore Rock (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in last trio, took keen hold, pecked 6th, headway on outside to track leaders 3 out, outpaced before home bend, no impression when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Douvan (FR) 2-13fav (11-4) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st and 3rd, led after 4 out, clear before last, easily, won at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr beating The Game Changer (11-4) by 14l, 5 ran.
Sizing John 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked winner until 10th, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Arzal (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
The Game Changer (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 2 out, not fluent last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Douvan (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Ttebbob (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Led, disputed briefly from 2nd to after 3rd, joined and bumped 3 out, soon ridden and headed, under pressure in 2nd before 2 out where left in lead, tired and slightly slow last, strongly pressed run-in and headed close home, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Sambremont (11-4) at Navan 2m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Mr Picotee (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leader, disputed from 2nd, led after 6th, disputed again before 3 out, 2nd entering straight, 1-length down and still every chance when fell 2 out, at Listowel 2m 1f sft in Sep.
