soon raced in 2nd, bad mistake 10th, soon no impression, one pace from before straight
soon led, jumped high and pecked 1st, went on from 10th, stayed on well straight, very easily
held up, soon last, pushed along briefly from 5th, pushed along briefly from next and soon closer order, dropped off front pair from 9th, some headway again before 4 out, soon no extra, eased straight
The return to action of the exciting MIN has been eagerly awaited as he resumes his chasing career. Runner-up to the brilliant Altior in the 2016 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, he cruised to victory on his chasing bow at Navan a year ago before a very impressive performance in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown a month later. He's in next month's John Durkan and all the major Cheltenham races and this looks an ideal stepping stone. Flaxen Flare has only had two starts over fences, making a winning start at Down Royal in 2015 and unseating his rider when there with a chance at Tramore in April so he should ensure the selection knows he's been in a race. Uncle Danny has a Cork victory on heavy going to his credit but is very unlikely to trouble the selection.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 4, 11 1/2l behind Apple's Jade (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Min (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Soon led, jumped slightly right 3rd, asserted straight, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Ordinary World (11-12) by 9l, 7 ran.
Uncle Danny (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, slightly hampered 4th, remote last 5 out, no impression from next, never a factor, 5th of 6, dist behind Ball D'arc (11-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
