led, 2 lengths clear at 5th, soon increased advantage, not fluent at 6th and reduced advantage, pushed along and headed before 2 out where not fluent, weakened
tracked leader, improved to 2nd at 6th, travelled well to lead before 2 out where strongly pressed, ridden and headed before last, led run-in, kept on, headed closing stages, not match winner
raced in detached rear, trailing before 5th, never a factor, completely tailed off
tracked leader, 2nd at 5th, 3rd at 6th, pushed along before 3 out, dropped to 7th 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on run-in, no danger
chased leader, 5th at 5th, progress at 6th, good headway to strongly challenge leader 2 out, led before last, headed run-in, pushed along to lead closing stages, kept on well
chased leader, 4th at 5th, 5th before 3 out, under pressure and ridden entering straight, dropped to 6th 2 out, ran on to 4th run-in without threatening
in touch on inner, 6th at 5th, 5th 2 out, no impression before last
chased leader, 7th at 5th, improved to 4th 2 out, stayed on to 3rd before last, kept on well, never nearer
Two of the last three runnings have gone the way of Gordon Elliott’s yard and Surin showed further progress when landing a Grade 3 hurdle at Naas last month when beating Gardens of Babylon for the second time. The latter re-opposes on better terms and there won’t be much between that pair but a chance is taken on FRANCO DE PORT proving capable at this level. A winner over timber in France, he beat a couple of previous winners when sent off favourite at Gowran last month on his debut for Willie Mullins and can continue on an upward curve by landing this. Soviet Pimpernel ran well at Cheltenham in October before finding life tough in Grade 1 company last time while Global Equity came up short in Listed company and dual bumper winner The Little Yank debuts over timber.
Franco De Port (FR) 6-5fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 4th, went 3rd before 3 out, close 3rd 2 out, pushed along to dispute lead after 2 out, ridden and led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Nov beating Cayd Boy (11-9) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gardens of Babylon (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up early, closer behind leaders after 2nd, 4th halfway, 3rd before 4 out, improved to challenge before 2 out, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 7 1/2l behind Surin (10-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Ekanse (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, rear of mid-division best, ridden and no extra 2f out, 13th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Golden Valour (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Dec.
Foreign Secretary 16-1 (11-2) Not fluent 1st, chased leaders, lost position and pushed along after 6th, kept on same pace without threatening straight, 7th of 13, 18l behind Brawler (9-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
Soviet Pimpernel (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden in last entering straight, moderate 8th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Envoi Allen (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Surin (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Disputed, led after 2nd, pressed from 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in narrow lead before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Gardens of Babylon (11-3) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Little Yank (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, tight for room straight, impeded over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Cork 2m 3f Yielding in Oct beating Celine Soprano (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Global Equity (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Always prominent, on terms approaching straight, headed from 2f out, soon switched right and one pace, 3rd of 11, 15 1/2l behind Bigbadandbeautiful (11-9) at Navan 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
