chased leaders, 5th at 7th, improved to get on terms approaching straight travelling smoothly, ridden to lead between last 2, pressed and slight mistake last, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner
ridden briefly and reminder early, prominent, led from 2nd, jumped slightly left 9th, joined 3 out and not fluent, headed approaching straight, soon no extra
soon tracked leaders, 4th at 7th, closed up 3 out, on terms approaching straight, dropped to 3rd approaching last, soon no impression
soon chased leaders, slightly slow 7th where 6th, slight mistake 3 out, no impression still in 6th before straight, one pace
soon prominent, 2nd at 7th, on terms 3 out and slight mistake, headed approaching straight, no extra when slight mistake 2 out
held up in touch, 7th at 7th, improved into 3rd early straight, slight mistake 2 out, 2nd approaching last, led run-in and stayed on best
led, headed from 2nd, 3rd at 7th, soon lost place, slight mistake 9th, no danger after, completely tailed off
held up, 10th at 7th, not fluent next, no impression from 3 out, weakened, tailed off
took keen hold early, in rear, slight mistake 8th, no danger before 10th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, slightly slow 3rd and 4th, soon reminders, 8th at 7th, no danger 10th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, reminders from early, 9th at 7th, slight mistake next, no impression 11th, pulled up before 2 out
Winning point-to-pointer Champagne Classic is penalised for an impressive bumper success on this track and has looked in need of a stiffer test of stamina when placed over shorter trips over timber. He looks the type to do much better but the concession of 13lb, including Rachael Blackmore's claim, to CALL THE TAXIE looks beyond him. He's another suited by a stamina test as he showed in a Grade 2 won by Penhill at Limerick with the remainder well beaten. Mighty Stowaway has been staying on strongly over 2m3f so the step up in trip looks certain to suit while Alkaa Lion made a bold bid to make all over this trip on heavy ground at Cork so further rain would aid his cause. It's difficult to know what to make of Tin Soldier, who has had 14 starts in France without winning. He hasn't run since the summer of 2015, though at least we know he'll be suited by testing conditions.
Champagne Classic (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders in 4th, improved to challenge before 2 out and soon ridden in 2nd, dropped to 3rd before last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Bravissimo (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec.
Alkaa Lion (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Soon led, not fluent 7th, pushed along and joined 3 out, ridden to lead again after next, kept on under pressure, no extra and headed close home, 3rd of 18, nk behind Boru Boy (11-12) at Cork 3m mdn hvy in Jan.
Call The Taxie (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along briefly 4 out, pushed along again from 3 out, soon 2nd, challenged and on terms straight, headed from before 2 out where slight mistake, soon no extra and one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Penhill (11-6) at Limerick 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Kilcrea Bridge 7-1 (11-4) Held up, 10th after 4th, moderate 9th from 6th, poor 7th after 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Pylonthepressure (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Mighty Stowaway (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Disputed lead, headed 6th, ridden straight, not fluent 2 out, kept on well without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Pylonthepressure (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Tin Soldier (FR) 16-1 (10-10) 4th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Yoko (11-2) at Auteuil 2m 3f lst (1) sft in Jun.
Antonio Joli (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Went left start tracked leader 3f, tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 17 1/4l behind Captain Peacock (9-2) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Art Of Supremacy (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up, 7th from 6th, slight mistake 7th, some headway but no impression when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Kagney (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Clarks Forge (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, mistakes 2nd and 8th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, soon no extra, 20th of 22, dist behind Moulin A Vent (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Monchengladbach (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, slightly slow 1st and reminders, pushed along after next, moderate 8th after 4th, soon no danger, pulled up before 7th, at Tramore 2m 5f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Definitely Kate (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, slow 1st and dropped towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, 13th of 14, 35 1/2l behind Cadeau Du Bresil (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.
