led, clear 2nd until 7th, jumped right 9th, joined 3 out, soon headed, not fluent 2 out, lost 3rd and weakened soon after
held up in 4th, closed on inside 10th, shaken up and beaten in last after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
not always fluent, held up in 5th, last before 9th, pulled up before 10th
travelled strongly, 2nd until the 2nd, raced in 3rd until challenged 3 out, jumped right 2 out, shaken up to lead narrowly before last, headed flat, stayed on, just held close home
tracked leader from 2nd, not fluent 10th or 12th, challenged 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed narrowly just before last, led again flat, held on gamely
held up in rear, mistake and rider lost left iron briefly 1st, blundered 9th, went 4th 4 out, closed when not fluent 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, no impression on front pair and weakened before last
Min has been first past the post in five of his six chase starts, though was disqualified after winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December. He found only Altior too good in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month but his stamina wasn’t tested in his only previous run over this trip against two rivals. BALKO DES FLOS has stepped up a level in his last two starts and readily picked off Un De Sceaux in last month’s Ryanair. The latter won at Fairyhouse last week to give the form a boost and Henry De Bromhead’s charge could be value against the likely favourite. Cloudy Dream and Politologue look held on respective form lines while Le Prezien’s win at The Festival came in handicap company, though he did finish third in a Grade 1 last season at Sandown. Sizing Granite has even more to do on these terms.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, closed 8th, went 3rd from 10th, 2nd from 12th, led 3 out, clear when not fluent last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar beating Un De Sceaux (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cloudy Dream (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in last, not fluent 11th, closed to chase leading pair 13th, shaken up after 3 out, no impression 2 out, 3rd of 6, 12 1/2l behind Balko Des Flos (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Le Prezien (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders after 3 out, 4th when switched towards inside between last 2, ridden and ran on to lead after last, asserted clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Gino Trail (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 22 ran.
Min (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, hampered 4 out, going well from 3 out until led 2 out, headed soon after last, no impression on winner final 130 yards, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Politologue (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, hampered 4 out, soon led, ridden and headed before 2 out, beaten in 3rd last, faded into 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 23l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led going well 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Early Du Lemo (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
