made all, pressed approaching last, edged left early run-in and soon ridden, 2 lengths advantage 100 yards out, kept on
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along early straight and challenged before last, ridden and no impression on winner early run-in, kept on well closing stages
ran 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along after 2 out and no impression approaching last, soon no extra
Battleoverdoyen has looked an outstanding performer in all starts except in the Ballymore at Cheltenham where he was never travelling. He beat the smart Any Second Now in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl at Punchestown last month and will make a bold bid to remain unbeaten over fences. His stable companion Champagne Classic, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, has looked very useful in his last two races over fences and is capable of better though MINELLA INDO (NAP) looks a more likely winner. Henry De Bromhead's charge won championship events over hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring and though beaten by Laurina at Gowran on his chasing bow found the 2m4f too short and will strip very much fitter here. Carefully Selected isn't out of this as he was only three lengths behind the selection at Punchestown before beating Lord Shnitzel comfortably on his debut over fences at Fairyhouse.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 2-5fav (11-3) Chased leader, took closer order after 2nd, bumped at 3rd, 3rd after 4th, not fluent 4 out, closed in 2nd 3 out, pushed along before 2 out where on terms, soon led and ridden, kept on run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) sft in Nov beating Any Second Now (11-3) by 5l, 7 ran.
Champagne Classic (IRE) 6-4 (10-9) Tracked clear leader in 2nd, not fluent at 3rd, took closer order at 10th, closed 4 out, travelled well to lead approaching straight, clear before last, eased close home, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m 7f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Discorama (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Lord Schnitzel (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, slight mistake 3rd, 8th after 4th, closed 4 out, challenged from 2 out, on terms approaching last, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 18, 3 3/4l behind Carefully Selected (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Carefully Selected (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Close up and disputed lead at times, some slight mistakes, travelling smoothly and gained narrow lead before 2 out where mistake and headed, switched right between last 2, on terms approaching last, led run-in, stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov beating Lord Schnitzel (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 18 ran.
Minella Fair (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division best, dropped towards rear 11th, pulled up before 2 out, at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Minella Indo (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped right at 1st, took keen hold, improved to lead entering straight, headed 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Laurina (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Speak Easy 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, headway into 4th on inner entering straight, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression on winner in 3rd at last, 2nd after last, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd last strides, 3rd of 14, 8 1/4l behind Ronald Pump (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
