Expert Analysis

A deep running of the Irish Gold Cup, 12 runners the biggest field for the race this century, though not all of them ran to form on testing ground. The form of the John Durkan proved much stronger than the Savills Chase over Christmas.

FACT TO FILE reversed Punchestown and Kempton form with Gaelic Warrior to run out an emphatic winner, proving himself over three miles in a well-run race, something that had not looked certain before. Mark Walsh rode as if he had few stamina concerns, pressing the lead from four out before leading on the final turn and winning with a bit in hand. The Gold Cup trip at Cheltenham is another question given how effective he has been over shorter, and he is not entered in that race at the moment, but this looked the best performance by a staying chase this season.

GAELIC WARRIOR has not always been at this best at Leopardstown, but his form since stepping up in trip over fences has been nothing if not consistent. He took a keen hold in rear but soon pulled himself forward in the field and kept at it well to close down the winner despite his earlier exertions. He is another whose Cheltenham target is unclear.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is not as good as previous seasons judged on his last two runs, though there is a suspicion is he being aimed at Cheltenham and will produce at a peak effort there, even at age 10. He was ridden with more restraint than has often been the case at Leopardstown, sitting just off the leader, and was left behind after two out.

FIREFOX ran above himself in a first-time tongue-tie and may have been disadvantaged by racing down the inner. That said, he was ridden to pick up the pieces and has long struggled at Graded level so may not back this up.

I AM MAXIMUS went backwards from his Christmas run though that form is not the most reliable. He may have been at a disadvantage racing around the inside.

MONTY’S STAR ran much better than his finishing position, breaking clear with the three placed horses and Affordale Fury down the back and hitting the front two out. He faded from there, but this was a good run with a view to the Grand National though he is on a long losing streak.

CHAMP KIELY  had a messy middle part of the season, slipping up on the level here at Christmas then backing up quickly at Tramore. This was a step back in the right direction and he made a decent move out of the back to indicate he is back in form. A drop in grade and trip should see him to good effect.

GRANGECLARE WEST was never involved and prefers better ground.

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN has shown nothing like his Gold Cup form in three starts this season and again jumped with little fluency. He was going to be beaten a long way when falling at the last.

AFFORDALE FURY went through the first three quarters of the race as if he would be involved in the finish but weakened soon after four out and was soon pulled up. He was found to be lame behind and may benefit from a break, this his fifth start of the season.

LECKY WATSON made a bad mistake at the sixth and was struggling thereafter.

SPINDLEBERRY had things go wrong from the start here, taking a keen hold and getting bumped at the second. She has done most of her racing in less competitive races than this but is not one to give up on at this level when confidence is restored as she never had a chance here.