made all, increased advantage at 1st, not fluent at 6th, clear at 7th, not fluent 2 out, very easily, not extended
raced 3rd, slight mistake at 5th, no impression in moderate 3rd at 8th, weakened in moderate 3rd after 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th closing stages
rear, not fluent at 1st, slightly detached after 3rd, detached after 7th, jumped left at 8th, no extra 3 out where jumped left, kept on one pace to moderate 3rd closing stages
tracked leader, not fluent at 6th, 2nd to clear leader at 7th, no impression 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on one pace in moderate 2nd run-in, no chance with easy winner
ENERGUMENE had already won two Grade 1's over fences before a facile victory on his reappearance in this last year. Beaten narrowly by Shiskin in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot next time, he was then imperious in the Champion Chases at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring. Master McShee has done superbly for connections with a short-head victory in the Grade 1 Faugheen at Limerick on St Stephen's Day the highlight. Epson Du Houx hasn't run since landing a handicap over the course and distance last November though goes well fresh but the remaining pair will need mishaps to get involved.
Energumene (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd before 1st, 2nd at 4th, challenged leader at 7th, led narrowly 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and led before last, asserted run-in, driven out, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Chacun Pour Soi (11-12) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
Master McShee 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, disputed 2nd, 2nd entering straight, ridden after 3 out, not fluent next, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 18l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Born By The Sea (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 8th after last, no impression entering straight, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 20, 4l behind Gabbys Cross (11-9) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Epson Du Houx (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Close up, disputed before 5th, led before 6th, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in close up, disputed before 5th, led before 6th, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov beating Golden Jewel (9-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Fastorslow (FR) 10-3fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, headway in 5th 2 out, ridden early straight and went 3rd last, kept on well into 2nd run-in, 2nd of 24, 3l behind Camprond (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Apr.
