held up, soon raced in moderate 5th, pushed along to close approaching straight, challenged and every chance last, one pace run-in
soon raced in 2nd, not always fluent jumping, pushed along to close approaching straight, on terms approaching last, soon headed and no impression
led, went on after 3rd and soon clear, reduced lead from before straight and headed approaching last, weakened
held up towards rear, a little keen, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along to close approaching straight, soon not much room briefly until quickened between horses to lead narrowly at last, kept on well run-in, headed near line
chased leaders, pushed along to close approaching straight, no impression and one pace from before last
chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, pushed along approaching last and briefly on terms, soon headed and one pace
towards rear, not fluent 1st, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along to close approaching straight, headway on outer to challenge from before last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line
Willie Mullins has won this for the past six years and is strongly represented by Carter McKay and FABULOUS SAGA. The former, a winning point-to-pointer, looked a high-class recruit when storming to victory in a heavy-ground maiden at Gowran and though put in his place by Getabird and Mengli Khan in a Punchestown Grade 2 he was taking on two of this season's top novices. Both those runs were over 2m but his stable companion won a Limerick Grade 2 in December over an extra mile and at present looks the best stayer of the pair. He also looks to be progressing and may just have enough in the tank to hold off Dortmund Park. Gordon Elliott's charge could hardly have been more impressive when landing a novices' contest at Thurles though faces much stronger opposition this time. Winning point-to-pointer Dicey O'reilly stepped up to 2m4f at Leopardstown and gained a surprise victory so he'll be well suited by this trip and though Jetz has had his limitations exposed he's come up against two very smart winners in Next Destination and Samcro.
Carter Mckay 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 3rd at 5th, headway 3 out and close 2nd next, soon pushed along and no impression in 3rd early straight, not fluent last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 13 1/2l behind Getabird (11-2) at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Dicey O'reilly (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Prominent, 2nd for much, challenged into straight, on terms over 1f out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Mortal (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Fabulous Saga (FR) 8-13fav (11-6) Led, 2 lengths clear after 8th, not fluent at 9th and reduced advantage, headed before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, progress to lead narrowly at last, kept on strongly, won at Limerick 3m (1) hvy in Dec beating Delta Work (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Jetz (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Led, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, soon no impression, dropped to 4th at last, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Next Destination (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Moyross 28-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division on outer, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 8, 35 3/4l behind Next Destination (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Dortmund Park (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway approaching straight and led 2 out, drew clear approaching last where slight mistake, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 6f hvy in Jan beating Burrows Saint (11-2) by 16l, 8 ran.
Tower Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, took keen hold and closer order after 2nd, 7th approaching 5th, ridden straight, ran on well closing stages, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Flawless Escape (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
