always towards rear, closer on inner halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, soon ridden and no extra from 2f out
towards rear, 5th 4f out, 4th and pushed along entering straight, 3rd and ridden 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, no extra and kept on one pace
mid-division, towards rear halfway, pushed along under 4f out, ridden and no impression entering straight, soon no extra
led, 3 lengths clear halfway, pushed along and headed entering straight, 4th and no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway travelling well to lead 2f out, soon asserted and 5 lengths clear 1f out, kept on well, very easily
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th and pushed along entering straight, soon no extra, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led briefly entering straight, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on one pace
This has been run four times and every favourite has won, three of them trained by Willie Mullins, who has two engaged this time. Embassy Gardens got up close home to score here in December but those who witnessed FACILE VEGA winning here on St Stephen's Day are unlikely to oppose him as he bids for a double. He cantered all over subsequent winner Joyeux Machin that day and will take some beating. The latter's yard is represented by Sandor Clegane, who won a Punchestown bumper by 15l, while Itswhatunitesus landed the odds in impressive fashion from a subsequent winner at Navan. The Big Doyen has an extra penalty for completing a double with the latest success coming by 15l at Punchestown.
The Big Doyen (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Soon raced in 3rd, closed up and on terms 3f out, led travelling smoothly into straight, quickly asserted, stayed on well, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Nov beating Cool Survivor (11-2) by 15l, 5 ran.
Carnfunnock (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway from over 5f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Ayr 2m (5) gs in Nov beating Geordies Dream (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
Da Capo Glory (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, 4th halfway, 5th 4f out, improved to 3rd under 2f out, led entering straight, ridden under 1f out, kept on well, won at Galway 2m sft in Oct beating Halligator (11-9) by 4 3/4l, 7 ran.
Embassy Gardens 4-6fav (12-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway on outer approaching straight, 2nd and pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead on line, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Santonito (12-2) by ns, 12 ran.
Facile Vega (IRE) 10-11fav (11-11) Chased leaders, headway to dispute lead halfway, led 5f out, pushed along to assert over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec beating Joyeux Machin (11-11) by 6l, 16 ran.
Itswhatunitesus (IRE) 10-11fav (12-2) Mid-division on outer, headway into 2nd travelling well 3f out, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, pushed along and stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Navan 2m Yielding in Dec beating Killer Mode (12-2) by 6l, 15 ran.
Sandor Clegane (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, disputed halfway, led 3f out, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Dec beating The Flier Begley (12-0) by 15l, 11 ran.
