rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, took closer order in 2nd after 5th, travelled well to lead before 3 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on same pace, lost 3rd close home
led, not fluent at 2nd, headed before 3rd, 2nd halfway, not fluent at 5th, soon 4th, lost place and under pressure after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, 7th halfway, 6th after 5th, headway and closed after 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, headed final stride
mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, dropped to 7th after 5th, took closer order after 4 out, 3rd after 3 out, 4th 2 out, slight mistake in 3rd last, ridden and ran on strongly to lead final stride
in touch, 4th halfway, 5th after 5th, improved to 2nd 3 out, dropped to 5th and under pressure after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, not fluent at 1st, soon progress, 3rd after 2nd, closed at 4th, 3rd halfway, lost place and weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leader, led before 3rd, not fluent at 5th, headed and lost place before 3 out, weakened after 3 out, completely tailed off
rear, 8th halfway, good headway to 4th after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, dropped to 4th last where not fluent, kept on to 3rd close home
CHAMP KIELY was very impressive when beating subsequent Grade 3 winner Brazil at Tipperary and can remain unbeaten under Rules, though Marine Nationale could give him a race. Barry Connell's charge looked imperious in two bumper starts and made an impressive start over timber at Punchestown. The selection's yard is also represented by Navan Grade 3 winner Hercule Du Seuil and Polo Lounge, who was an easy all-the-way winner of a Limerick maiden. The Grade 2 bumper winner Ashroe Diamond, who beat a huge field on her debut over timber at Naas, also has claims. None of the remainder can be ruled out, especially Cork maiden winner Irish Point who was a Grade 1 winning bumper in France.
Champ Kiely (IRE) 4-5fav (11-1) Made all, not fluent at 4th and 4 out, travelled well 2 out, soon asserted, clear last, kept on well, easily, won at Tipperary 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Oct beating Brazil (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hercule Du Seuil (FR) 11-10fav (11-1) Made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, reduced lead approaching straight, pushed along after 2 out and slight mistake last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m (1) Yielding in Nov beating Imagine (11-1) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Irish Point (FR) 2-7fav (11-7) Soon disputed lead, headed before 4th, led approaching straight, not fluent 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Splashing Out (11-0) by 5l, 23 ran.
Marine Nationale (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 2 out, travelled well before last, led after last, shaken up briefly to assert, easily, won at Punchestown 2m mdn gd in Oct beating Viceregent (11-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Path D'oroux (FR) 15-8jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, left 3rd 4 out, 2nd and not fluent next, challenged 2 out and led last, pushed out and kept on well run-in, won at Galway 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Itswhatunitesus (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 20 ran.
Polo Lounge (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Made all, mistake 6th, pressed entering straight, asserted before 2 out where 4 lengths clear, pushed along and went further clear before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Oct beating Catena Zapata (11-11) by 9l, 18 ran.
Prairie Dancer (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Led, reduced lead at 3rd, disputed before 4 out, under pressure and headed before 2 out where dropped to 3rd, slightly hampered after 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, 3rd of 4, 9 1/2l behind Brazil (10-13) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Ashroe Diamond (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Prominent, 5th after 3rd, travelled well in 6th after 3 out, closed in 3rd 2 out where pecked slightly, soon switched right, 2nd last where slight mistake, ridden to lead final 50 yards, won at Naas 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Kansas City Star (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 25 ran.
