held up towards rear, ridden into 6th entering straight, no extra before last
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden and no extra before last, kept on one pace
led, disputed from 2nd, ridden 2 out, asserted before last, pressed run-in, kept on well under pressure
chased leaders and ran freely early, 5th halfway, ridden and progress on inner entering straight, stayed on into 2nd before last, kept on to press winner run-in, no extra closing stages
held up towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression in 7th before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened and eased before last
chased leader, disputed from 2nd, ridden entering straight, no extra before last where slight mistake
held up towards rear, slight mistake 5th, ridden entering straight, stayed on into 4th last, no impression on leaders, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division early, progress into 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on into 3rd before last, slight mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
Willie Mullins saddles four of the 10 runners with Ruby Walsh opting to ride LONG DOG. His mount has won his last five starts over timber and had stablemate Bachasson a neck behind when taking the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse last month. The runner-up, who is a year younger, was losing his unbeaten record over timber that day and the pair are very evenly matched but Ruby's decision just swings things the way of his mount. Bleu Et Rouge looks a bright prospect for the yard and it's significant that he's been put straight into this grade after landing a maiden, a remark that also applies to the unbeaten Petit Mouchoir. Falcon Crest looked a superb prospect when beating a strong line-up in the Grade 2 Monksfield at Navan last month and though he'll need to step up against the Mullins battallions there's every reason to believe he can do so. The likes of Tombstone and Woodland Opera are stepping up massively in class.
Baily Cloud (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led, pressed after 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, 4th before last and kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 23 1/4l behind Long Dog (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Falcon Crest (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Held up, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, left 2nd and slightly hampered 2 out, challenged last and pecked slightly, soon ridden to lead, kept on strongly closing stages, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Moylisha Tim (11-6) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Long Dog 1-2fav (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, challenged after 3 out, led entering straight, slight mistake and pressed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure from before last, all out close home, just held on, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Bachasson (11-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Tombstone (IRE) 5-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closed travelling smoothly 2 out, led before last, pushed out to assert run-in, easily,, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Pylonthepressure (11-12) by 5l, 19 ran.
Tully East (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, good headway 3 out, led next, soon joined but travelling smoothly, quickly led again, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Nov beating Prince Kup (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden 3 out, stayed on to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Coney Island (11-9) by 3/4l, 22 ran.
Bachasson (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Held up in rear, slight mistake 5th, closer after 3 out, 3rd entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed winner before last, under pressure in 2nd run-in, stayed on well close home and just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Long Dog (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Bleu Et Rouge (FR) 8-15fav (11-7) Slightly slow 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, challenged next, pushed along briefly from 2 out, led before last where a little slow, pushed out and stayed on best run-in, won at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Madfuninthewest (11-7) by 2l, 13 ran.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 1-5fav (11-7) Tracked leader, ran freely, progress to lead after 4th, slight mistake 2 out, asserted run-in and kept on well, easily, won at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Lofgren (11-2) by 3l, 18 ran.
Three Stars (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Soon tracked leader, 3rd before 4th, pushed along and challenged from 3 out, gained narrow lead next, stayed on best to assert run-in, won at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Thomas Hobson (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
