settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and closer 2 out, ridden in 4th before last, no extra from last
led, slight mistake 4th, pressed 2 out, soon ridden, joined and disputed run-in, headed close home
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, no extra 2 out, weakened and eased before last
held up towards rear, progress into 4th 3 out, pushed along entering straight, stayed on to chase leaders 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last and no impression on leading pair, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 2 out, under pressure in 6th before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden 2 out, no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, mainly 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, improved to press leader 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to dispute run-in, just prevailed close home
SANDSEND made a winning start over timber in France and made his debut for new connections in a strong race at Limerick last month where he travelled well for much of the way before blowing up. That was over 2m4f and he's expected to have come on enough to land this. His yard also run Dolciano Dici, who hasn't been seen since scoring at Bordeaux back in April 2016. Forge Meadow easily won a Listed contest at Punchestown in November for which she's penalised as is Duca De Thaix for his Grade 3 victory at Limerick. The latter's owners also run Arcenfete, who looked a cracking prospect when last seen winning at Auteuil in 2016. Destin D'ajonc was well behind the selection at Limerick but had excuses and is better judged on his impressive victory at Auteuil a year earlier.
Duca De Thaix (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Raced in rear, improved into 2nd from 4 out, pushed along and further progress to dispute lead before 2 out, led before last and kept on best under pressure run-in, won at Limerick 2m (1) hvy in Dec beating Us And Them (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led, strongly pressed and joined over 1f out, soon headed and one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Let's Dance (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Arcenfete (IRE) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Jun beating Calva Du Rib (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Destin D'Ajonc (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along and dropped to rear before 2 out, soon no extra, last of 6, dist behind Ex Patriot (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Dolciano Dici (FR) (10-7) won at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 2m sft in Apr beating Nurmi (10-10) by shd, 10 ran.
On The Go Again (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along and headway on outer to go 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead over 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Tipperary 1m 1f hcp hvy in Oct beating World War (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sandsend (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, took closer order before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no impression run-in and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Ex Patriot (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Tandem 12-1 (9-12) Mid-division, pushed along entering straight and not clear run over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 7 1/2l behind Riven Light (9-0) at Galway 1m 1f hcp Yielding in Aug.
