tracked leaders, soon 3rd, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, pushed along in 2nd entering straight, ridden before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
prominent and led 1st, joined before next, led again 4th, joined 6th, headed before 4 out, pushed along in 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd entering straight, dropped to 4th run-in, no extra
always behind, never a factor, not fluent 5th and mistake next, soon detached, ridden and no impression before 3 out, no extra
prominent, tracked leader after 1st, disputed before 2nd where not fluent, headed 4th, disputed again 6th, led before 4 out, pushed along before last where 3 lengths lead, ridden and stayed on well
held up in touch, soon 4th, mistake 4th, jumped big 6th, in touch in 4th when slow 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, went 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
This has been run five times and Willie Mullins has won them all with short-priced favourites. BLUE LORD, already a triple Grade 1 winner over fences, will be at long odds-on after his impressive victory here at the Christmas fixture and should have few problems continuing the sequence. His stablemate Gentleman De Mee was beaten a long way in the latter event and hasn't recaptured the form that saw him land the Grade 1 Maghull from Edwardstone at Aintree in April. Alan King sends Sceau Royal over from the UK and the eleven-year-old has been hurdling this winter though the winner of 17 races is best at a slightly lower level over fences these days. The remaining pair have a lot to find.
Blue Lord (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd after 2 out and pushed along to lead approaching last, ridden and drew clear run-in, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Captain Guinness (11-12) by 11l, 7 ran.
Dunvegan (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in close 2nd, led after 1st, increased advantage before 5th, reduced lead after 7th, headed after 8th, no impression on leader before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Rebel Gold (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Fastorslow (FR) 66-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, went 2nd before halfway, slight mistake 9th, dropped to 4th 4 out, pushed along in 5th after next, no extra, 5th of 6, 21 1/4l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Gentleman De Mee (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, slight mistake 1st, mistake 5th, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 6th after 2 out, no extra, 6th of 7, dist behind Blue Lord (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sceau Royal (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in 4th on inside, jumped slowly and mistake 4 out, lost ground and no chance after, 4th of 5, dist behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
