towards rear, mid-division after 3rd, mistake at 10th and dropped to rear, 4th before 12th, left 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, closed in 2nd before 2 out, dropped to 4th before last where mistake, weakened
led, not fluent at 7th, reduced lead after 8th, strongly pressed after 2 out, headed last where mistake, no impression on leader closing stages and dropped to 3rd, no extra
rear, progress after 10th, improved to 3rd after 11th, mistake and fell 4 out
tracked leader, took closer order after 8th, 3rd before 2 out, edged right and bumped with rival after 2 out, led narrowly last where not fluent, driven out run-in, reduced lead close home, demoted to 2nd
mid-division, towards rear after 3rd, 3rd after 10th, not fluent at 11th and soon 4th, 5th before 12th, left 4th 4 out, not much room and bumped after 2 out, no room in 3rd last, stayed on well in 2nd closing stages, held, promoted to 1st
CHEMICAL ENERGY only had two rivals to beat over Cheltenham's extended three miles but both were at shorter odds and he survived several errors to eventually win in a canter. He has the National Hunt Chase as his target while Ramillies is also entered in that race plus two Grade 1's. He made a successful start over fences beating stablemate Tenzing at Thurles but the latter's recent conqueror Mahler Mission was beaten a distance by the selection at Cheltenham. Thedevilscoachman is at his best on very testing ground as he showed when landing a Navan Grade 2 over hurdles and when scoring over fences at Galway so more rain would aid his cause. Amirite is a potentially useful stayer but faces a stiffer test here.
Chemical Energy (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, switched right and not fluent 5th, not fluent 7th, edged right before 9th, went 2nd 14th until not fluent 15th, challenged after 4 out, led before 3 out, drew well clear before 2 out, easily, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct beating Mahler Mission (11-2) by dist, 3 ran.
Amirite (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led narrowly at 2nd, headed at 3rd, 3rd after 4th, 4th after 7th, mistake at 10th, bumped and unseated rider after 11th, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Francin (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, moderate 3rd at 2nd, moderate 2nd before 5 out, no impression on easy winner, one paced, tailed off, 2nd of 5, dist behind Flame Bearer (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Ramillies (IRE) 6-4 (11-12) Chased leader, led after 2 out, pushed along and 4 lengths clear approaching last, ridden and kept on well, won at Thurles 3m Yielding in Dec beating Tenzing (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In touch, 4th after 6th, 3rd after 10th, slight mistake in 4th 4 out, under pressure in 3rd after 2 out, lost place and weakened quickly before last where fell, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
