led, slight mistake 7th, joined before 2 out, ridden from 2 out, soon weakened, dropped to moderate 4th when fell at last
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, close 3rd 2 out, ridden entering straight, moderate 5th before last, left 4th at last, no impression
held up in rear, slight mistake 8th, under pressure 4 out, no extra in moderate 6th when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
held up disputing 5th, close 5th 2 out, headway into 2nd and ridden before last, close 2nd approaching last, strongly pressed winner run-in, kept on well close home
raced in 2nd, pecked at 1st, not fluent 8th and 9th, improved to dispute lead on inner before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, led travelling well entering straight, ridden and narrow lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in, all out close home
held up disputing 5th, bad mistake 9th and rider briefly lost iron, ridden and dropped to last next, weakened
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, bad mistake 3 out, close 4th 2 out, ridden entering straight, 3rd before last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
FAUGHEEN, unbeaten in a bumper and a point-to-point, turned to jumping fences at an advanced age after 13 victories over hurdles, mostly at the very highest level. He's also unbeaten over the bigger obstacles after defying a bad mistakes at Punchestown then beating Samcro with ease in a Limerick Grade 1. It's difficult to see him beaten here though the latter's stable companion Battleoverdoyen, another brilliant and versatile performer, looks certain to give a good account despite only scrambling home in a three-runner Grade 1 here in December. Easy Game, runner-up to Honeysuckle over timber at Fairyhouse in November, took a while to warm to his task on his chasing bow here but looks a smart prospect and can snatch a place.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 4-9fav (11-10) Made all, pressed approaching last, edged left early run-in and soon ridden, 2 lengths advantage 100 yards out, kept on, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec beating Champagne Classic (11-10) by 1l, 3 ran.
Castlebawn West (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 4th at 8th, bumped 4 out, headway to dispute lead 3 out, led travelling well after 2 out, soon went clear, pushed along after last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Jan beating Forza Milan (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dommage Pour Toi (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Soon raced in moderate 4th, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent 5 out, closed from 3 out, no impression from before straight, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 37 1/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Easy Game (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 4th from 4th, went 2nd from 3 out travelling smoothly, pushed along straight, led run-in and edged slightly left, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec beating Allaho (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Faugheen (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3rd, led again 5th, joined 5 out, slight mistake 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, disputed again before straight, led 2 out, asserted and quickly went clear before last, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Samcro (11-10) by 10l, 7 ran.
Myth Buster (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, 5th from 4th, closed approaching 2 out travelling smoothly, pushed along straight on outer, soon no impression, kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Easy Game (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up in 5th, not fluent at 3rd, niggled along before 4 out, no impression in moderate 5th when slow jump 3 out, remote 5th and pulled up before 2 out, at Naas 2m Yielding in Jan.
