tracked leaders, 4th at halfway, ridden in moderate 7th 3f out, weakened
tracked leaders on inner, improved to lead travelling well 1 1/2f out, ridden clear 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, impressive
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3f out, went moderate 3rd 2f out, no impression on leaders final furlong, kept on same pace
led, joined 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, dropped to moderate 4th 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, 2nd at halfway, headway to dispute lead 5f out, led 3f out, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on without threatening easy winner final furlong
towards rear on outer, closer in 5th 5f out, ridden in moderate 5th 3f out, soon no impression
always behind, no impression from 4f out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden in moderate 6th 3f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace straight
Eric Bloodaxe arrives with a big reputation after beating Wide Receiver comfortably here last month but it will take a good performance to concede weight to APPRECIATE IT. Willie Mullins' charge looked more of a staying type when powering to victory over 2m4f here last time but there will be no hanging around and his stamina can come into play. Risk Factor, another course winner, had an easy victory on St Stephen's Day while Lieutenant Command could hardly have been more impressive at Limerick and has to be considered
Eric Bloodaxe (IRE) 8-11fav (11-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along to challenge entering straight and led under 2f out, soon ridden and asserted inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Dec beating Wide Receiver (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Appreciate It (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) Made all, pressed from 3f out, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f sft in Dec beating Freedom To Dream (11-10) by 6l, 9 ran.
Lieutenant Command (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Prominent in chasing group, closed from 6f out, 2nd over 3f out, travelling smoothly straight, on terms from 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out and quickly asserted final furlong, easily, won at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec beating Getabay (12-0) by 9l, 9 ran.
Fantasio D'alene (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Led, headed over 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong and kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Uhtred (11-8) at Navan 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Risk Factor (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Soon led, joined from before halfway, led again into straight, soon wandered slightly but stayed on well to quickly assert, won at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec beating Hamundarson (11-9) by 6 1/2l, 12 ran.
Wide Receiver (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped towards rear but still well in touch 4f out, 4th and pushed along entering straight, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Eric Bloodaxe (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Dec.
Brandy Harbour 6-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 7th 1/2way until 4th frm 6out, chall aftr 3out, ld bef 2out, ho well cl hm, won at Boulta 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Mahler Allstar (12-2) by nk, 18 ran.
Shakespeare's Word 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway into 4th 4f out, close 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, 2nd 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Thedevilscoachman (11-7) at Naas 2m Good - Yielding in Jan.
