led, joined briefly entering straight, edged left under pressure run-in, kept on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden entering straight, short of room last where bumped wing and unseated rider
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to dispute briefly entering straight, edged left approaching last, under pressure and no impression on winner run-in
Carlingford Lough had his biggest day in the Galway Plate in July then proved that he is a very smart staying prospect here in December and a strong gallop and testing ground will play to his strengths. DON COSSACK had beaten him narrowly but comfortably in the Grade 1 Bar One at Fairyhouse earlier and Gordon Elliott's charge is looking a very smart prospect so gets the nod. Ballycasey made a very impressive start over fences when beating the useful Mount Colah at Navan over a trip much too short. He's another exciting recruit to chasing making this a fascinating contest.
Ballycasey (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6th, pushed along and closed on leaders after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 1f beg chs in Nov beating Mount Colah (11-5) by 8l, 11 ran.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in last, 6th 4 out, progress in 5th 2 out, ridden to challenge last and slight mistake, kept on well to lead run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec beating Morning Assembly (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Don Cossack (GER) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, jumped left 2 out and soon switched right, ridden to challenge last, led run-in and kept on under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec beating Carlingford Lough (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
