towards rear, 5th after 1st, 4th at 4th, improved to 3rd before 2 out, under pressure before last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
rear, bad mistake at 1st and reminder, soon ran freely in 4th, dropped to rear at 4th, slightly detached after 4 out, detached 3 out, no extra in moderate 4th before last, never a factor
led, headed before 2nd, led narrowly before 5th, not fluent at 7th, increased advantage before last, clear run-in, kept on well, easily
tracked leader, led before 2nd, a little keen, not fluent at 3rd and 4th, headed before 5th, 3rd at 7th, closed before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in
raced alone in 3rd on inner, closed at 7th, not fluent 4 out, lost place and weakened before 2 out, tailed off
CHACUN POUR SOI counts the last two of these among his five Grade 1 victories over fences. His two most recent defeats have come when sent to the UK, third in last year's Champion Chase at Cheltenham, when Greaneteen was half-a-length behind, then when last of five to that rival in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, when Captain Guinness was third. Willie Mullins' charge obviously has questions to answer after Sandown but, with Paul Townend back on board, can complete the race hat-trick. Greaneteen couldn't get near Shishkin at Kempton next time but that was hardly a negative and he looks the obvious threat as Dunvegan has been winning handicaps and Cash Back has fallen in three of his last four starts over fences.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Waited with in 5th, steady headway 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, 2nd at the last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Greaneteen (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Cash Back (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Led, headed 6th, 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and led again after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Jan beating Classic Getaway (11-5) by 6l, 4 ran.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 8-13fav (11-7) Never that fluent, led, mistake 8th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened next, last of 5, 34 1/4l behind Greaneteen (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Dunvegan (FR) 7-2jfav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd for most, improved to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan beating Blackbow (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Greaneteen (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Chased leader, nudged along after 4 out, headway to challenge 3 out, soon ridden, went second 2 out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Shishkin (11-3) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
