led, ran freely early, 2 lengths clear at 6th, asserted before 4 out, clear after 2 out, kept on well, eased closing stages, very easily
in touch, slightly detached after 4th, trailing halfway, left moderate 4th 2 out, no extra
tracked leader, 3rd after 4th, mistake at 7th and dropped to 4th, jumped left at 8th, weakened before 4 out, left moderate 3rd 2 out, no extra
tracked leader, 4th after 4th, progress to 3rd after 7th, no impression 4 out, mistake 3 out, no extra in moderate 3rd when fell 2 out
in touch, took closer order after 2nd, 2nd after 4th, under pressure and ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins has won the last three of theses and UN DE SCEAUX should keep up the sequence. The winner of 18 of his 24 starts, this year's Ryanair winner didn't quite have the pace to beat Fox Norton in the Champion Chase at Punchestown but that was certainly no disgrace and he can get back to winning ways. Ball D'arc completed a hat-trick earlier this year, including two Grade 3 races, and was placed at the highest level. He showed himself as good as ever at Naas last month and looks certain to go well. Kerry Lee sends Top Gamble from the UK though he doesn't arrive in the best of form and was behind the selection at Cheltenham in January. Ballyoisin won a tough course and distance handicap in October before a narrow defeat by the smart Disko in a Down Royal Grade 2.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Close up, led before 5th, ridden after 2 out, pressed from before last, headed and kept on same pace from early run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Fox Norton (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Clarcam (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leader, 5th halfway, headway 3 out and challenged next, ridden to lead before last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Alisier D'irlande (11-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Alisier D'Irlande (FR) 2-1jfav (11-7) Led, 4 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage 4 out, strongly pressed 2 out and headed approaching last, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Clarcam (11-7) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Ballyoisin (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistakes 8th, 4 out and 3 out, no impression on winner next, ridden and kept on well run-in, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Disko (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Top Gamble (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Last pair, never involved, tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader disputing 2nd, went 2nd 4 out, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Ordinary World (11-1) by 5l, 6 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led early, headed and dropped to 2nd before 2nd, jumped slightly left 8th and almost on terms after next, pushed along to lead before 2 out and soon ridden, pressed from last and kept on best run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Tombstone (11-4) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
