soon chased leaders, closer in 2nd into straight, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well run-in but not reach winner
prominent, not fluent 1st, not fluent 5 out, no extra under pressure approaching straight, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, closed to track leaders from 3 out, 3rd into straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th into straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
towards rear, 5th before straight, soon no impression
soon close up until mistake and unseated rider 6 out
soon led, left clear 6 out, soon reduced lead but still travelling smoothly into straight, went on from before 2 out, stayed on well from before last, reduced lead but always holding on at the finish
FELIX YONGER runs here instead of the Grade 1 Racing Post at Leopardstown and the move should pay off. A Grade 2 winning hurdler, he's unbeaten over fences and was particularly impressive in beating Trifolium at Navan last time. He's a long way clear on official ratings and this looks at his mercy. His stablemate The Papparazi Kid was 23l behind at Navan and can hardly be expected to turn the tables while Shrapnel and Balnaslow were beaten a long way by the selection at Punchestown earlier when Jim Will Fix It pulled up. Clar Na Mionn has run well against strong opposition since making a winning debut over fences and may be the one to chase Willie Mullins' charge home.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, closer 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Navan 2m 1f nov chs beating Trifolium (11-8) by 15l, 4 ran.
Shrapnel (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders and 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th entering straight, moderate 4th before last and kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 26l behind Felix Yonger (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) in Nov.
Balnaslow (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 6th halfway and pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden and no impression in moderate 4th early straight, no extra and dropped to 5th before last, 5th of 8, 31l behind Felix Yonger (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) in Nov.
Clar Na Mionn (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out and no extra from 2 out, last of 6, 19l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1).
Dushybeag (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 5th 4 out, ridden and no extra next, 7th of 12, 28l behind Bright New Dawn (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs.
Jim Will Fix It (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent early, collided with rival 2nd and mistake next, dropped towards rear before halfway, in rear approaching 4 out and soon no extra, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Felix Yonger (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) in Nov, 8 ran.
The Paparrazi Kid (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in last, ridden from 3 out, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 4, 23l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs.
Ballysteen (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Led 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden and no extra before straight, 6th entering straight, weakening and left moderate 5th 2 out, 5th of 16, 40l behind The Paparrazi Kid (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft in Nov.
Katnap (FR) (10-7) in a race won by La Segnora (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f Listed hdl gs in Jun, 15 ran.
