held up in 5th, closer in 4th 3 out, improved to dispute lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden, led at last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 4th, headway to dispute lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed at last, kept on same pace run-in
led and clear, slight mistake and reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up in last, off pace early, closer in moderate 5th 3 out, pushed along in moderate 5th 2 out, 4th before last, kept on without threatening under hands and heels
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 4th, ridden in 4th before 2 out, 3rd before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 4th, mistake 4th and soon dropped to 5th, pushed along in last entering straight, kept on one pace in last under hands and heels thereafter
Gordon Elliott has three of the six, including the evergreen Petit Mouchoir. However, this splendid servant hasn't got his head in front since 2017 despite racking up not far off a quarter of a million pounds in career place prize money. It would be good to se him nail one but DARASSO is preferred. The O'Brien gelding is more than useful at this level on his day and his last three runs - all in classy company and including a Grade 2 victory - read well. Saint Felicien is two from two and it's noteworthy he comes here direct from landing a Gowran Park novice hurdle. He could be anything and is very interesting. The others have something to find on the formbook.
Darasso (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Rear, 7th before 7th, no impression in moderate 6th before 2 out, kept on after 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Saint Felicien (FR) 11-8fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led at 2nd, travelled well after 3 out, asserted before last where slight mistake, eased closing stages and reduced advantage, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m Yielding in Nov beating Slip Of The Tongue (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Felix Desjy (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Prominent, led approaching 1st where slow jump and headed and dropped to rear, slow jump 2nd and pushed along in last, soon headway to chase leaders but not fluent jumping and quickly at the back again, no extra from before final hurdle, 5th of 6, dist behind Sharjah (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 1st, prominent, regained lead approaching 3rd, headed from 2nd last, weakened approaching final hurdle, last of 6, dist behind Sharjah (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Whiskey Sour (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Soon led and ran freely, headed after 2nd, 5th before 6th where hampered, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, no extra closing stages, 5th of 18, 4 3/4l behind Gua Du Large (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Wolf Prince (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 5 out, ridden 3 out, no impression on leaders next, stayed on into moderate 2nd after last, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 8, 21 1/2l behind Darver Star (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 3f hvy in Dec.
