chased leader in 2nd, challenged 4 out, led before next, asserted before last, ridden briefly run-in, kept on strongly, easily
led, pressed 4 out, headed before next, 3rd before 2 out, improved to press leader briefly entering straight, ridden in 2nd and no impression before last, kept on same pace
held up in 5th, rear from before 6th, ridden and no impression 3 out, moderate 5th entering straight
held up in rear, 5th from before 6th, ridden and no impression 2 out, weakened entering straight, tailed off
chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, 4th after 3 out, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders in 4th, 3rd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra entering straight, 4th before last, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins has won the last four and A TOI PHIL is likely to be sent off at short odds to continue the trend. His victory over Don't Touch It here should be given a boost in the opener and though he faces tougher opposition today looks the one to be on. Acapella Bourgeois landed a minor bumper in France in 2014 and showed the benefit of his opening run for Sandra Hughes when scoring easily here last month. He'll improve again and enjoy the conditions but Cardinal Palace has shown his best form on less testing ground. Chitu had smart form in bumpers before making a successful hurdling debut at Musselburgh while Woodland Opera found Grade 1 company too hot here last time and steps up to this trip for the first time. Chain Gang looks a nice prospect but had a battle to land a maiden here last month and this looks tougher.
A Toi Phil (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Prominent, led before 2 out, soon joined, pushed along straight, stayed on best run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f mdn hvy in Dec beating Don't Touch It (11-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 1st, headed after 4 out, led again approaching 2 out and asserted entering straight, ridden and 4 lengths clear last, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec beating Space Cadet (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Cardinal Palace (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, well beaten after 3 out, 10th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Rayvin Black (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Chitu (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up off the pace in 6th, smooth headway after 4 out, 2nd travelling well 2 out, led before last, came clear run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Nov beating Round Tower (11-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened and eased before last, last of 9, 29 1/4l behind Long Dog (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
Chain Gang 6-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, ridden and went 2nd last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Minella Aris (11-7) by hd, 8 ran.
