held up towards rear, progress into 6th after 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, no impression in 5th when slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra
held up, slight mistake 7th, progress into 5th after 3 out, ridden entering straight, 6th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, 2nd halfway, close up and challenged 4 out, ridden to dispute after 2 out, headed before last, switched left and kept on run-in, pressed winner close home
mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened
held up towards rear, progress in 7th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, led before last, edged right under pressure, slight mistake last, kept on under pressure closing stages
mid-division, mistake 6th, 5th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, weakened 3 out, behind when mistake 2 out and pulled up before last
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and lost place after 3 out, no extra before 2 out where slight mistake, weakened
led, ridden and joined after 2 out, soon headed and no extra, weakened before last
Willie Mullins dominates the entries with four and Paul Townend chooses GREAT WHITE SHARK. The winner of a Grade B handicap at the Galway Festival, he then won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in great style and though this is his first foray into graded company he receives allowances and looks the one to beat. His stable companion Scarpeta has also proved smart on the Flat and over hurdles and has no problems with either trip or ground while Bacardys has competed at the very highest level since landing a Grade 2 at Navan in November 2019. Burrows Saint was beaten a long way behind Mary Frances at Clonmel though that was his first start for a year and the winner has run poorly subsequently. Sixshooter and Kilfenora had a sustained duel at Punchestown in October with the former getting the verdict though that was over 2m2f while Darasso ran in the Champion Hurdle and has taken on very strong company in two runs over fences this winter.
Bacardys (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Ran 5th, closer after 3 out, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Burrows Saint (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 6 out, led next, headed entering straight, soon no extra, kept on one pace in moderate 2nd from before 2 out, 2nd of 6, dist behind Mary Frances (11-5) at Clonmel 3m hvy in Dec.
Darasso (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Ran 4th, slightly detached and niggled along after 5th, under pressure after 4 out, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, weakened before last, left moderate 2nd run-in, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Chacun Pour Soi (12-0) at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Diol Ker (FR) 6-4fav (11-13) Tracked leader, disputed at 2nd, led before 7th where not fluent, joined 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and headed, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, ran on well in 2nd final 100 yards to lead close home, won at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Born By The Sea (11-13) by nk, 5 ran.
Kilfenora (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Disputed lead, led 2nd, joined approaching straight, soon pushed along and narrowly headed, not match winner from before last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sixshooter (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 3f Yielding in Oct.
Sams Profile 5-1 (12-0) Led, took keen hold, joined 5 out, headed 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 4th on inner 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 11 1/2l behind Monkfish (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Scarpeta (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Waited with, soon raced in 3rd, closed up from 4th, soon 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, slight mistake 2 out and no impression, not fluent last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Bachasson (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Sixshooter (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Prominent, soon 3rd, pushed along before straight, soon closed and effort, 3rd again and one pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Great White Shark (FR) 9-2fav (8-6) Held up mid-division, pushed along 4f out, wide and headway 3f out, ridden to lead when edged right approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Summer Moon (9-10) by 3l, 34 ran.
Mary Frances (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Raced off pace in 3rd, took closer order before 3rd, moderate 4th 4 out, dropped to moderate 5th before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 33l behind Concertista (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
