in rear, eased and pulled up before 5th (lost action)
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway travelling well to lead after 2 out and asserted before last, ridden and kept on run-in, reduced advantage close home
mid-division, 6th halfway, dropped towards rear after 3 out and no extra after next
prominent, mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, led briefly after 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace in 3rd run-in
rear of mid-division, closer early straight, pushed along and headway after 2 out to go 2nd before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, some headway 4 out and 4th entering straight, mistake 2 out and soon no extra
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden after 2 out and no impression before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, no impression after 3 out, pushed along and some headway after 2 out, switched left and 7th when slightly hampered last, kept on run-in to go 4th close home
led, jumped left, headed after 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra from before last
Gordon Elliott, who has won this for the past two years, has four entries though owners Gigginstown have five. Duca De Thaix had been in very good form in novice company before making an impressive handicap debut over the track and trip last month. He'd been beaten 3l by Kildorrery on his chasing debut at Punchestown and is worse off at the weights though may have made better progress than Ted Walsh's charge. Cubomania had looked one to follow when scoring at Cheltenham in October and had Tycoon Prince behind when runner-up to Tisamystery, who was receiving 25lb, at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day. The in-form Henry De Bromhead runs two and though Three Stars has a fitness advantage over AVENIR D'UNE VIE, Rachael Blackmore's presence on the latter, who is making his handicap debut, suggests he's well enough forward to make his presence felt and gets the nod. Blazer ran better than his finishing position suggests in the Paddy Power and has to be respected.
A Toi Phil (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Waited with, moderate 6th after 4th, headway into 3rd at 6th, slight mistake 7th, no imperssion in 4th when not fluent 2 out, soon no extra, 7th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-4) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Duca De Thaix (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd at 4th, chased front pair from before 5 out, closed to challenge and slight mistake 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well to quickly assert, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Dec beating Arvico Bleu (10-12) by 5l, 9 ran.
Tycoon Prince (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, bumped after 3rd, 6th approaching halfway, slight mistake 7th, slightly slow jump 3 out, effort straight, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Tisamystery (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Dec.
Three Stars (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, moderate 4th after 4th, lost place and under pressure 6th, soon no danger, kept on without threatening straight, 4th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-4) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Blazer (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 6th after 7th, soon progress, slight mistake 10th, bad mistake 6 out, bumped 4 out, kept on same pace from before last, 6th of 27, 9 3/4l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Cubomania (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Waited with, soon towards rear, badly impeded after 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, soon progress, chased winner and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Tisamystery (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Dec.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 7-4 (11-8) Led, jumped slightly right at times, travelling well 2 out, jumped slightly right at last and pushed along, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Demi Sang (11-6) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Waited with, soon towards rear, impeded 3rd, 7th approaching halfway, closed and effort 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 5th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Tisamystery (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Dec.
Kildorrery (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, progress into 5th entering straight, 4th 2 out, ridden into 2nd last, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Judgement Day (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in Nov.
Kylecrue (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent at 1st and slight mistake 2nd, disputed lead from 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Westerner Point (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
