tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, 3rd 3 out, pushed along and disputed 3rd at last, ridden in 3rd after last, kept on one pace, just failed for 2nd, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, jumped left 4 out, 8th 3 out, pushed along in 6th approaching last, no impression in 5th at last, ridden and kept on one pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 6th 3 out, pushed along and progress to dispute 3rd at last, soon ridden and no impression in 4th, kept on one pace
led, joined 5th until led again before next, pushed along and joined again last, pushed out and asserted run-in, kept on well, cosily
towards rear, slightly hampered 2nd, not fluent next and briefly pushed along, 9th when not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
held up in rear, 7th 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden and no extra approaching last
chased leader in 2nd, on terms 5th until before next, pushed along and on terms again last, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, just held on for 2nd
chased leaders, 4th 3 out, pushed along and no impression after next, no extra in 6th when not fluent last, kept on one pace
mid-division, a little keen, 5th 3 out, pushed along approaching next, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
mid-division, mistake 1st, pushed along before 4th, dropped to rear when mistake 5th, soon no extra and lost touch, behind when pulled up before 2 out
MITCHOUKA hasn't run over hurdles since 2019 but has been going well over fences and can race from a 14lb lower mark so looks the one to beat. The USA-trained French Light has been running well enough on unsuitable soft ground but like Rasiym, who was in very good form last summer, could do with drying conditions. Pure Genius followed a facile maiden victory over 3m at Punchestown by leading for a long way in a lucrative handicap at Leopardstown and could find this on the short side while Tronador hasn't run since June. The latter's stable companion Coach Carter gained a surprise victory in a Punchestown maiden three weeks ago but faces much stiffer opposition.
Mitchouka (FR) 10-3jfav (10-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 2nd from last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar beating Livelovelaugh (10-11) by nk, 14 ran.
French Light (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 15 1/2l behind On Eagles Wings (11-1) at Naas 1m 7f (1) sft in Mar.
Rasiym (FR) 40-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division on outer, mid-division 3 out and headway into 4th next, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Drop The Anchor (9-13) at Listowel 2m hcp sft in Sep.
Pure Genius (FR) 5-1fav (10-1) Led and disputed, headed after 2nd, regained lead 5th, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no extra, 8th of 22, 26l behind Maze Runner (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Tronador (IRE) 5-2 (10-2) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, pushed along on outer 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, 9th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Oromo (9-1) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Dollys Destination (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in moderate 4th 3 out, no impression, 4th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Aspire Tower (11-6) at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Bold Enough (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, improved into 2nd from 3 out and soon pushed along, ridden and no extra in 4th before last where not fluent, weakened run-in, 6th of 13, 21 3/4l behind Hannon (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Coach Carter (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Waited with, 14th approaching 4th, headway on outer approaching 2 out, went 6th before straight, led before last and slight mistake, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Mar beating James Fort (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Flindt (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression approaching straight, moderate 7th 2 out, slightly hampered and left moderate 4th at last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Bythesametoken (10-4) at Wexford 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
True Companion (IRE) 125-1 (8-12) Raced wide towards rear, outpaced 5f out, tailed off, last of 11, 36 1/2l behind Susie Javea (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
