in rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along in 3rd into straight and soon no impression, no extra approaching last
prominent, on terms from 3rd, led approaching 4th, strongly pressed straight, just headed from last, kept on without matching winner run-in
led, joined from 3rd, headed approaching 4th, lost place quickly and pulled up approaching 2 out
raced in 4th, closed up approaching 2 out, travelling smoothly before straight, gained narrow lead from last, stayed on best run-in
prominent, 3rd from 3rd, lost place and no extra from 2 out
FAUGHEEN has frightened the opposition away which is hardly surprising given his superb return to action in the Morgiana at Punchestown where he made all and won with his head in his chest. Beaten just once in 13 starts, the brilliant former champion should have a few problems gaining the ninth Grade 1 of his career. Willie Mullins is never afraid to take on one of his own, as Nichols Canyon proved when providing the selection's only defeat, and Cilaos Emery looks the best alternative after his victory in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown where he had much better fancied stable companion Melon in second. Gordon Elliott provides the remaining trio, all smart performers on their day with Campeador, who was chasing the selection at a safe distance when falling for the third time in four starts in the Morgiana, looking best of them.
Campeador (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Raced in rear, slight mistake 2nd, improved into 3rd before 3 out, pushed along and no impression from next, fell last, at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Raced mainly in 3rd, lost position before 2 out and soon no impression, moderate 3rd again last, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 4th at line, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Faugheen (IRE) 4-11fav (11-10) Made all, stretched clear before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Jezki (11-10) by 16l, 4 ran.
Mick Jazz (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear in 6th, closer in 4th approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last and one pace, 5th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
The Game Changer (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-4) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, headway in 2nd 4 out, slight mistake next, pushed along and no impression in 4th approaching 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 4th of 6, 32 1/2l behind Clarcam (11-7) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
