raced in 3rd, left in 2nd approaching 1st where fell
raced in 4th, left in 3rd approaching 1st where left 2nd and slightly impeded, closed travelling smoothly from final fence, led over 1f out, quickly asserted, stayed on well, easily
in rear, slightly impeded 1st, jumped slightly right at times, closed approaching final fence, soon pushed along, 2nd final furlong, one pace
raced in 2nd, left in lead approaching 1st, hit 6th, pushed along from final fence, headed over 1f out, dropped to last final furlong, no extra
led until pulled up injured approaching 1st
UK Raiders Saint Calvados and Simply Ned have enjoyed successes in Ireland. The former landed a Naas Grade 3 in November while Nicky Richards' charge has won the same Grade 1 over the course and distance for the last two seasons. However, he only got the first of those victories in the stewards' room having finished second to MIN, who was relegated to runner-up for causing interference. The latter easily took his revenge in this race a year ago and, though subsequently beaten in three Grade 1 races, returned to winning ways in the John Durkan at Punchestown and should have too much class for these. The 2017 champion chaser Special Tiara was well beaten in this last year and stable companion Ordinary World isn't up to Grade 1 standard though managed to finish upsides Castlegrace Paddy when they were around five lengths behind Simply Ned last time.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, progress before 6th, no impression and slightly impeded last, one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Simply Ned (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.
Min (FR) Evensfav (11-10) Raced 3rd, travelled well after 3 out, closed 2 out where not much room on inner, pushed along to lead before last, driven out run-in, reduced advantage closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Shattered Love (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ordinary World (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, closed up to chase leaders from before 2 out, slight mistake last and left moderate 3rd, one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Simply Ned (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.
Saint Calvados (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Soon led, headed after 5th, remained prominent, driven 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Special Tiara 8-1 (11-0) Led and raced freely, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Altior (11-6) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Simply Ned (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along in 6th from 2 out, switched right and closed from before last where left moderate 2nd and slightly impeded, ran on well run-in to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec beating Footpad (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
