This should prove a good guide to the comparative merits of UK and Irish juvenile form as Paul Nicholls sends INDIAN DAUDAIE, a fine third behind Local Hero on his debut for the yard in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. With improvement likely he can beat the home challenge off though Unaccompanied and Sailors Warn in particular look strong rivals. The former was the impressive winner of a moderate maiden at Punchestown and deserves this step-up in grade but Sailors Warn looks a bigger threat judged on a comfortable victory over that good yardstick Fearless Falcon in a Grade 2 here in December when Toner D'Oudairies could only finish fourth. Tillahow just got the better of Fearless Falcon at Punchestown a month ago and has a little to find while Louisville Lip, highly regarded by connections, takes a massive step-up from beating Maxim Gorky at Thurles.
Fearless Falcon (IRE) 6-4fav (10-10) Led, jumped slightly left, challenged 2 out, ridden and disputed entering straight, narrowly headed last, kept on run-in, just held close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Tillahow (10-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 3 hvy in Jan.
Indian Daudaie (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, headway to 3rd after 3 out, driven to challenge between last 2, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Local Hero (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Kalann (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, close 8th 3 out, progress next, 5th and ridden straight, one pace, 5th of 10, 11l behind Sailors Warn (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Louisville Lip (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, 7th and headway after 4 out, 4th after next, 3rd travelling well 2 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Thurles 2m 4yo hdl sft in Jan beating Maxim Gorky (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Maxim Gorky (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, 5th and headway 4 out, close 2nd from 3 out, led after 2 out, headed before last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Louisville Lip (10-9) at Thurles 2m 4yo hdl sft in Jan.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led until after 1st, chased leaders until weakened after 4 out, 9th of 15, 48l behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, 7th 3 out, smooth headway next, led travelling best before last, soon ridden clear, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec beating Fearless Falcon (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tillahow (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden and disputed entering straight, narrow lead last, kept on run-in, all out close home, won at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 3 hvy in Jan beating Fearless Falcon (10-10) by nk, 7 ran.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 6-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th from halfway, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and no impression last, one pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Sailors Warn (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Chaperoned (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Settled behind leaders, mainly 6th, left 5th 5 out, headway in 4th 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Tillahow (10-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 3 hvy in Jan.
Unaccompanied (IRE) 4-5fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, mistake 4 out, progress to lead 2 out, smoothly drew clear before last where not fluent, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Virgil Earp (11-0) by 9l, 7 ran.
