tracked leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to rear approaching 2 out, soon no extra, weakened
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out, 4th next and no extra early straight, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer 3 out and led approaching next, strongly pressed straight and headed before last, no impression on winner run-in
led, headed approaching 2 out, no extra in rear approaching straight, eased, tailed off
in rear, closer 3 out and progress into 3rd approaching straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in
chased leaders, mistake 1st, 6th halfway, closer 3 out, slightly checked and dropped to 7th approaching next, no extra in 6th entering straight, weakened
towards rear, 7th halfway, closer 3 out and 3rd briefly next, no extra in 5th early straight, weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer 3 out and progress into 2nd before next, led before last and kept on well run-in
Kalkir's defeat by Fiscal Focus here at Christmas was a real shock as he'd looked top class when scoring at Fairyhouse. He can be expected to fight back on this likely faster ground but he faces another potentially high-class recruit in VERCINGETORIX. Gordon Elliott's dual Flat winner in France could hardly have been more impressive at Limerick a day after his main rival's effort and is handed the vote in an intriguing contest. Petite Parisienne also scored on the Flat in France and though beaten by Chatham House Rule on her debut for Willie Mullins at Punchestown can gain her revenge and snatch a place. Officieux was well suited by front-running at Fairyhouse and will probably lead for a long way.
Chatham House Rule 12-1 (11-0) Made all, clear before 2nd, extended advantage before 3rd, slight mistake 5th, mistake 3 out, slightly reduced advantage entering straight, slight mistake and ridden last, reduced advantage run-in, kept on, won at Punchestown 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Petite Parisienne (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
I'll Be Your Clown (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd after 2nd, moderate 2nd from before 4th, closed approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out and ridden, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Social Riser (11-0) at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Kalkir (FR) 4-7fav (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, soon 3rd, 4th 2 out where slightly impeded, ridden in 2nd approaching last and no impression, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Fiscal Focus (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Officieux (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Made all, soon clear, still clear 3 out, jumped left 2 out, and soon pushed along, not fluent at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Jan beating Hostile Fire (11-7) by 12l, 13 ran.
Prussian Eagle (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, slight mistake 5th, improved into 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Dicosimo (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl in Jan.
Vercingetorix (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Soon chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 4th, 2nd when slight mistake 5 out, closed up travelling smoothly straight, on terms 2 out, soon led and clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Crystal Pearl (10-7) by 8l, 9 ran.
Lettre de Cachet 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress straight and led 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and edged left, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Navan 1m 5f mdn stks sft in Oct beating Very Intense (9-5) by 1/2l, 18 ran (flat).
Petite Parisienne (FR) 9-10fav (10-7) Chased leader, soon moderate 2nd, ridden entering straight, stayed on and closer run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Chatham House Rule (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.
