disputed lead early, soon led, headed before 5th, dropped to 5th from 3 out, soon no impression, left 3rd and kept on same pace from last
soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching 4th, soon closed up, disputed 2nd from 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th and no impression straight, left 2nd and kept on same pace from last
disputed lead early, prominent, 3rd after 3rd, soon lost place, last from 3 out and no extra, left 6th from 2 out and distant 4th from last
soon tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 4th, led before next, not fluent 3 out, ran out 2 out
tracked leaders early, dropped to 6th and pushed along approaching 4th, improved into 4th from 3 out, left in lead from next, strongly pressed straight and narrowly headed when fell last
held up in touch, 5th approaching 4th, closed up to be prominent 3 out, soon disputed 2nd, travelling smoothly straight and slight lead when fell last
in rear, soon detached, some headway in 6th from 3 out, 4th approaching straight, soon moderate 3rd and no impression until left in lead from last, stayed on well run-in
Willie Mullins has won the last two of these and is represented by three runners this time. Sharjah has jumped well and made a very good impression in both starts over timber but Paul Townend, who was on board for his latest success, has chosen Real Steel, who he rode to an impressive victory at Thurles. Whiskey Sour won on the Flat and over hurdles at the Galway Festival and looks a very smart prospect though all three of the champion trainer's trio will need major improvement to see off MENGLI KHAN. Gordon Elliott's charge has looked a high-class recruit in his three runs this campaign culminating in an impressive victory in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse and it will take something special to lower his colours. Hardline and Le Richebourg were a long way behind the selection at Fairyhouse.
Hardline (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Soon raced towards rear in 6th, pushed along and some headway before straight, switched right approaching 2 out where mistake, soon no impression and kept on same pace without threatening, 3rd of 7, 20 1/2l behind Mengli Khan (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Le Richebourg (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Soon raced in 5th, 4th from 4 out, chased leaders from 2 out and no impression, not fluent last and no extra, 6th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Mengli Khan (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Makitorix (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Soon raced in 2nd, bad mistake 4 out and lost place, dropped to last and no extra from before straight, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Mengli Khan (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Soon raced in 4th, 3rd from 4 out, closed up straight to lead between last 2 and edged slightly right to rail, soon asserted and stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Early Doors (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Real Steel (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Prominent, disputed 3rd after 4th, led after 3 out on inner, joined 2 out, soon led again, pushed out to assert run-in, stayed on well, won at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Daly Tiger (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Sharjah (FR) 13-8fav (11-9) Led early at very slow pace, soon raced in 2nd, 3rd from 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, on terms on outer next travelling smoothly, led from last, pushed out to assert run-in and stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Nov beating Shady Operator (11-9) by 4l, 5 ran.
Whiskey Sour (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Ran freely in rear of mid-division, settled 8th halfway, rapid headway on outer to 2nd entering straight, ridden and strongly challenged leader final 100 yards, kept on best, won at Galway 1m 4f hcp sft in Aug beating Mawaany (9-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
