chased leader, 5th at 4th, improved to 4th before 2 out, dropped to 5th and no impression on leaders before last where eased
rear, 7th at 4th, not fluent 4 out, under pressure after 2 out, detached and weakened before last, never a factor
reared slightly at flagfall, tracked leader, slight mistake at 1st, not fluent in 3rd at 4th, lost place before 2 out, pushed along to 4th before last, ridden and kept on to 3rd close home
chased leader, 4th at 4th, slight mistake 3 out, progress to 3rd before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, weakened in 3rd run-in and dropped to 4th close home
tracked leader, 2nd at 4th, closed after 3 out, challenged leader 2 out, lost place and weakened before last where eased
held up, 6th at 4th, travelled well and closed in 3rd before last where not fluent, soon 2nd run-in, ridden to lead final 100 yards, ran on well
led, not fluent 3 out, pressed 2 out where not fluent, ridden run-in, soon strongly pressed, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace
Petit Mouchoir won this in 2016 and Sharjah has won the last two. Jockey bookings are insignificant here as Patrick Mullins is the regular rider of the latter and Mark Walsh is on board Saint Roi for J P McManus. The latter and Abacadabras had a thrilling battle in the Grade 1 Morgiana at Punchestown last month with Gordon Elliott's charge just getting the better of the argument though the runner-up didn't quite get the run of the race and is expected to reverse the form. The four-year-old ASPIRE TOWER (NAP) had beaten Abacadabras at Down Royal in October and though the latter looked in need of the run there's every reason the winner will improve markedly and Henry De Bromhead's charge can make his allowance count though last year's Morgiana winner Saldier is another threat in an intriguing contest.
Abacadabras (FR) 13-8 (11-12) Raced mainly in 4th, not fluent 3 out, progress to dispute lead approaching last, soon ridden to lead, drifted left run-in, pressed close home and all out to hold on, won at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Nov beating Saint Roi (11-12) by nk, 5 ran.
Coeur Sublime (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Raced in rear, good progress on outer from 2 out and improved to dispute lead approaching last, ridden and headed run-in, soon no extra and weakened, 4th of 5, 6 1/4l behind Abacadabras (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Nov.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, closed up from 3 out, effort approaching straight, kept on without matching front pair run-in, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Aramon (11-10) at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Jul.
Saint Roi (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Took keen hold in 3rd, not fluent at times, dropped to rear from 2 out, switched left and ridden in 4th approaching last, switched right run-in and kept on well close home without reaching winner, 2nd of 5, nk behind Abacadabras (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Nov.
Saldier (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, ridden and headway to lead at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Petit Mouchoir (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sharjah (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) Towards rear, progress to 14th 7f out, headway on outer 2f out, ridden entering straight, kept on without threatening final furlong, 10th of 20, 3 3/4l behind Princess Zoe (10-13) at Galway 2m 1f hcp sft in Jul.
Aspire Tower (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led, a little keen, slow at 4th, pushed along and joined before 2 out, ridden before last, led last and kept on well to assert final 100 yards, won at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Abacadabras (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon disputed 3rd, a little keen, slight mistake 4th, effort in 2nd straight, one pace closing stages and dropped to 3rd near line, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
