in rear, under pressure in rear at 6th, remote 7th entering straight, moderate 6th at last, no impression
tracked leaders, 4th 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression in 3rd at last, headway after last, went 2nd close home and pressed winner to line
mid-division on inner, ridden at 5th, moderate 6th 2 out, no impression
led, ridden entering straight, headed before last, disputed lead again after last, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home
always behind, slight mistake 1st, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th entering straight, soon weakened
mid-division, 6th and pushed along after 6th, ridden in moderate 5th after 2 out, moderate 5th at last, kept on one pace inside final furlong
rear of mid-division on outer, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders on outer, took keen hold early and soon 2nd, not fluent at 2nd, travelling well entering straight, led before last, ridden and joined briefly after last, rallied to lead inside final furlong, pressed close home, kept on well
Last year's champion novice Klassical Dream has been hugely disappointing in his two starts this winter. He could be forgiven his close third behind Saldier and Petit Mouchoir in the Morgiana, when Sharjah was 6 lengths back in fourth, but his jumping went to pieces when tailed off behind the latter and Petite Mouchoir in a Grade 1 here last month. Both of the Mullins' entries will need to be at their very best if they are to halt the unbeaten run of HONEYSUCKLE, though Henry De Bromhead's mare is dropping back in trip. Her last three victories, two of then Grade 1's, have come over 2m4f but she travels so easily that she should have the pace to see off these rivals. Supasundae can never be discounted and was only 4 lengths behind Sharjah in the Ryanair Hurdle here just over a year ago.
Aramon (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, some headway on outer after 3 out and close up next, soon pushed along and no impression in 4th entering straight, no extra approaching last, weakened, 4th of 5, 30 1/4l behind Sharjah (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Darver Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th entering straight, 5th 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Envoi Allen (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Monsieur Lecoq (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, slightly hampered and dropped to mid-division 4th, rallied on inside before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, no chance with very easy winne, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Not So Sleepy (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Led or disputed lead, left in lead after 4th, pushed along in straight and strongly pressed approaching last, ridden and headed early run-in, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Sharjah (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Saglawy (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, 5th when left moderate 4th 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th entering straight, went moderate 2nd after last, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Burrows Saint (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Sharjah (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Towards rear, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, smooth progress to challenge early straight, ridden to lead early run-in and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec beating Petit Mouchoir (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Supasundae 9-2 (11-12) Held up in 6th, pushed along at halfway, ridden and last 2 out, some progress entering straight, still 6th at last, kept on without threatening to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Buveur D'Air (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Ballycaines (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and some headway between horses 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Able Jack (9-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Honeysuckle 9-10fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd 3 out, disputed lead travelling well entering straight, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Bacardys (11-10) by 9l, 6 ran.
Klassical Dream (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Disputed lead, jumped big 4th and stumbled badly on landing, soon lost place and pushed along in 4th after next, headway before 2 out, soon no extra and in rear entering straight, eased, last of 5, dist behind Sharjah (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
