chased leaders in 4th, closer entering straight, ridden and no impression before last, no extra run-in
prominent and disputed lead, blundered and headed 2 out, no impression on winner early straight and dropped to 3rd at last, no extra run-in
led or disputed lead, slight mistake 3 out and led next, ridden and kept on well run-in
chased leaders in 5th, mistake 5th, trailing 4 out and pulled up before next
in rear, slight mistake 2nd and slow 3rd, ridden and no impression in 5th entering straight, no extra
chased leaders in 3rd, 10 lengths off leading pair 4 out, closer entering straight and 2nd at last, no impression on winner run-in
Willie Mullins, who has won this for the past two years, had the high-class pair CHAMPAGNE FEVER and Felix Yonger entered at the early stage and relies on the former. The 2012 dual championship bumper winner easily made the transition to hurdling winning Grade 1 races at Leopardstown and Cheltenham in the spring and, though making a couple of minor errors on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month, looked a tremendous prospect and should go in again though this is very much tougher. Defy Logic is a high-class performer who beat Golanbrook by 19 length on his chasing debut before giving Felix Yonger a run in a Punchestown Grade 2. He will ensure the selection doesn't have everything his own way as will Road To Riches, another who made a winning start over fences before a good third to Don Cossack at Fairyhouse with Art Of Logistics nine lengths behind. Trifolium was beaten a long way by Felix Yonger at Navan but pulled much too hard and is definitely better than he showed there.
Art Of Logistics (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leaders in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden approaching 4 out and no impression from 2 out, 5th of 6, 14l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1).
Champagne Fever (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Made all, went clear from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, pushed clear before last, stayed on well, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Nov beating Corbally Ghost (11-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Defy Logic (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Led, collided with rival 2nd, pushed along entering straight and headed 2 out, ridden approaching last where mistake, no impression and kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Felix Yonger (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) in Nov.
Road To Riches (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3rd and led again from 6th, jumped left 2 out and soon headed, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1).
Ted Veale (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, not fluent 7th (water), outpaced 4 out, closed 3 out, went 3rd before next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Dodging Bullets (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Trifolium (FR) 2-1 (11-8) Led and took keen hold early, soon clear, big jump 3rd, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs.
