tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to moderate last next, weakened, eased inside final furlong
disputed lead early, led after 1st, joined and strongly pressed 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed narrowly before last, kept on under pressure in 2nd inside final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace without troubling leaders inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6th, 3rd when mistake 3 out and ridden, dropped to moderate 4th after next, no impression from before last
keen to post, disputed lead early, headed after 1st and chased leader, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, soon ridden, led narrowly before last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
in rear, mistake 1st, slight mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, under pressure in moderate 5th and bad mistake 2 out, no impression
Another tremendous race in prospect but NOTEBOOK has been so impressive since switching to fences that he can remain unbeaten. A dual winner at Punchestown in his first two starts over fences including a Grade 2, he was always doing just enough in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novices' Chase here on St Stephen's Day to see off the mare Fakir D'Oudairies though there was little between them at the finish. The latter, runner-up in the championship juvenile contests over hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown, beat today's rival Melon on her chasing bow at Navan followed by a facile Grade 1 victory at Fairyhouse and she'll ensure the selection doesn't have it his own way. Melon went one better here last month though faces much tougher opposition and his stable have three other entries. Bapaume is probably better over further but Cash Back has won two minor races in great style and could be anything.
Bapaume (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Always prominent, disputed lead at 3rd, headed before next, led from 6th and made rest, went clear 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Naas 2m 3f sft in Dec beating Spyglass Hill (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 17 ran.
Cash Back (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Made al, not fluent 4th, travelling well entering straight, went clear approaching last, ridden after last, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Naas 2m Yielding in Jan beating Zero Ten (11-8) by 12l, 6 ran.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, 4th halfway, closer and mistake 3 out, improved to challenge next, soon disputed, ridden before last, slight mistake last, kept on run-in, held in 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Melon (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f sft in Dec.
Melon 5-4fav (11-12) Led, pressed 2 out, soon joined, pushed along approaching last where mistake and pecked, ridden and kept on best run-in, edged ahead closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f sft in Dec beating Gallant John Joe (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Notebook (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, jumped slightly right at times, closed and led before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Fakir D'Oudairies (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Royal Rendezvous (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Waited with, in rear early, soon 4th, jumped slightly right at times, closed up and effort from before 2 out, no extra in 3rd from before last, 3rd of 5, 17 1/2l behind Notebook (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 11-8 (11-5) Disputed lead early, soon raced in 3rd, effort between horses and rider briefly without iron early straight, kept on well without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Notebook (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
