2nd early, soon 3rd, pushed along at stages, reminder after 7th, progress to lead briefly 8th, mistake 9th, dropped to last from 3 out, headway to dispute lead on outer approaching straight, soon headed, no extra and one pace 2 out
led, a little slow at 1st and briefly headed, pecked 7th, slight mistake 8th and headed briefly, joined from 4 out, headed before straight, weakened and jumped left last 2
3rd early, soon 2nd and led briefly from 1st, on terms from 4 out, led straight, jumped slightly left 2 out, quickly asserted, jumped slightly left again last, stayed on well run-in, easily (saddle slipped back during race)
in rear, pecked slightly 6th, pecked badly next, slight mistake 4 out, closed from 3 out, pushed along before straight, no extra and one pace from before 2 out
Gordon Elliott bids for a third consecutive win in this but complicates matters by running two with Champagne Classic also due to run at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Stablemate Cracking Smart has a leading chance if running up to his mark on his first outing since May but ECLAT DES MOTTES has a fitness advantage. Willie Mullins’ charge has ran well in both starts over fences so far and may well get the better of the Gigginstown duo under today’s circumstances with more to come from him. Minella Fair is another returning from an absence while Paranoid is hard to recommend.
Cracking Smart (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, soon 3rd, dropped towards rear and pushed along after 10th, no impression before 3 out, hampered last, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Eclat Des Mottes (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 1st, headed 2nd, slow 5th and soon dropped towards rear, progress into 5th 5 out, challenged 4 out, ridden in close 3rd entering straight, disputed 2 out, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Treacysenniscorthy (11-12) at Listowel 2m 6f Yielding in Sep.
Minella Fair (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 15, 21l behind Burrows Saint (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f sft in Mar.
Paranoid (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, bad mistake 3rd, reminder after 5 out, weakening and slight mistake 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Sayo (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Champagne Classic (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden approaching 2 out and went 2nd before last, under pressure and kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Chris's Dream (11-3) at Navan 3m (1) Yielding in Feb.
