held up in rear, 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out where left 4th, kept on one pace
soon chased leader, slight mistake 2nd, left in lead 2 out and hampered, soon ridden and headed, under pressure in 2nd entering straight, no impression on leader before last, stayed on to challenge run-in and led closing stages
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th 5 out, ridden next, no impression before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out where left 3rd and slightly hampered, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd before 5 out, left 2nd 2 out, soon improved to lead, ridden to assert before last, tired run-in and strongly pressed, headed closing stages and no extra
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 4 out, rear and slight mistake next, soon no impression
led, clear after 3rd, reduced advantage 5 out, 2-length advantage and still travelling well when fell 2 out
The reappearance of the brilliant UN DE SCEAUX is one of the highlights of the week-long fixture. Willie Mullins' charge is already a short-priced favourite for the Champion Chase which is hardly surprising given that he's been beaten just once in 14 starts and that was when he fell when in a long lead at Thurles last November. His victories in the Arkle at Cheltenham and the Ryanair at Punchestown stamped him as one of the most exciting young chasers seen for some time and he had Clarcam 15 lengths behind when they were 1-2 in the Arkle here in January. The runner-up was also beaten a long way at Cheltenham but had won the Grade 1 Racing Post Novices' Chase here a year ago by a very long way. Sizing Granite is another exciting prospect and though the Grade 1 Maghull winner was beaten on his reappearance he will have come on a bundle for the run and looks certain to give a good account. Hidden Cyclone has been placed at Grade 1 level over fences on several occasions and looks best of the remainder.
Clarcam (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 5 out, closer in 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th and slight mistake last, 5th of 7, 24 1/4l behind Djakadam (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Flemenstar (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led, headed before 2nd and chased leader in 2nd, challenged 5 out, ridden in 2nd 3 out, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Djakadam (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Not fluent 1st, prominent, mistake and bumped rival 3rd, soon led, inclined to jump right, joined 2 out, headed before last where dropped to 3rd, one pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Simply Ned (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 5th, outpaced when mistake 4 out, stayed on to chase winner briefly before 2 out, one pace before last, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 6, 22 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Sizing Granite (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Soon disputed lead, close 2nd from 4th, challenged straight, pushed along 2 out, slightly impeded and switched right run-in, kept on well closing stages, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 5, hd behind Devils Bride (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 1-10fav (11-10) Made all, not fluent at 2nd, clear from 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, stayed on well from last, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Just Cameron (11-10) by 3l, 5 ran.
