towards rear, 5th at 6th where mistake and fell
chased leader, 6th at 5th where mistake and unseated rider
rear, slightly hampered at 6th, 6th at 8th, under pressure in 5th after 2 out, no impression in moderate 4th before last, weakened run-in, tailed off
led, not fluent at 5th, headed at 6th, led before 7th, headed before 9th, not fluent at 10th, dropped to 5th after 4 out, weakened and detached after 3 out, completely tailed off
in touch, not fluent in 3rd at 7th, mistake 4 out and dropped to 4th, 3rd 3 out, weakened in 4th before last, tailed off
towards rear, slight mistake at 4th, 5th at 8th, not fluent at 9th, progress to 3rd after 4 out, 4th 3 out, improved to 3rd before last where mistake, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leader, led narrowly at 6th, headed before 7th, not fluent at 8th, led before 9th, increased advantage 3 out, travelled well before last, asserted run-in, easily
in touch, 4th at 7th, improved to 2nd after 4 out, niggled along before last, ridden and no chance with winner run-in, kept on same pace
Sentiment would hope that Master McShee, one of only two horses trained by Paddy Corkery in Waterford, could grab another Grade 1 after mugging Farouk D'alene on the line in the Faugheen at Limerick. However, those who witnessed GALOPIN DES CHAMPS jump brilliantly and saunter home in a track and trip beginners' chase over Christmas are unlikely to desert him here. Already a Grade 1-winning hurdler, he takes on much superior rivals here but is difficult to oppose. His trainer has three other entries though Beacon Edge, who had subsequent Grade 1 winner Fury Road just over a length behind when landing the Drinmore at Fairyhouse, looks more of a threat.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 5th after 7th, dropped to 7th at 9th, left 4th and niggled along after 3 out, effort and ridden after 2 out, 3rd before last, stayed on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Gabynako (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Capodanno (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Disputed early, chased leader from 3rd, disputed again approaching 3 out, led narrowly before next, ridden and pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Bob Olinger (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Fighter Allen (FR) 11-2 (12-0) Led and disputed, led 2 out, ridden before last, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Stattler (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
French Dynamite (FR) Evensfav (12-0) Tracked leader, led from 6th, 4 lengths clear halfway and extended lead to 10 lengths before 4 out, reduced advantage entering straight, kept on well and drew clear again run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Nov beating Dewcup (12-0) by 6l, 13 ran.
Fury Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Close up, led briefly from 2nd, disputed 3rd after 6th, on terms from final fence, led straight, asserted from under 2f out, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec beating Run Wild Fred (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Held up, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th after 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 31 3/4l behind Bob Olinger (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Galopin Des Champs (FR) 4-7fav (12-0) Led narrowly, made all, increased advantage after 5th, clear before 8th, travelled well before last, kept on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec beating Ain't That A Shame (12-0) by 22l, 8 ran.
Master McShee 10-1 (11-12) Waited with in rear, closed approaching 3 out travelling smoothly, went 2nd and effort straight, stayed on well under pressure run-in to lead at line, won at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Farouk D'Alene (11-12) by shd, 6 ran.
