in rear, niggled along from 4th, soon trailing, never a factor
attempted to make all and soon clear, slight mistake 8th, soon reduced lead, pushed along before straight, soon joined and headed, no extra from before 3 out
soon raced in moderate 3rd, closed going well 4 out, 2nd before 3 out, soon challenged, not match winner last, kept on same pace run-in
soon chased leader in 2nd, closed approaching 4 out where good jump and travelling well, on terms into straight, in front before 3 out, soon strongly pressed, asserted last, stayed on run-in
waited with 4th of the 5, closer order 4 out, 3rd before next, challenged still going okay and every chance when fell 2 out
This looks tricky in view of SIMENON's shocking run when long odds-on at Punchestown. The dual Royal Ascot winner never travelled at any stage and finished tailed off so potential punters will need to forgive that run. Un Beau Matin announced his arrival by taking that from Owega Star but Willie Mullins' charge hopefully just had an off day and can bounce back. Whatuthink is at the veteran stage but certainly didn't show it when beating Voler La Vedette over the C&D last month and though Muirhead is better known as a chaser these days he's still a classy staying hurdler and won't go down without a fight. Neither Maller Tree nor Sailors Warn can be dismissed in an intriguing contest.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, mainly 5th, ridden before straight, moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Rebel Fitz (11-8) at Cork 2m 2f hdl in Aug.
Whatuthink (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Made all, 5-lengths clear 6 out, ridden after 3 out, slight mistake and reduced advantage 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, won at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) in Nov beating Voler La Vedette (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Maller Tree 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 18, 44l behind Double Ross (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Owega Star (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leader in 2nd, led 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Un Beau Matin (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov.
Un Beau Matin (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, headway to challenge 2 out, led entering straight, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov beating Owega Star (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Muirhead (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Settled in rear, some headway into 5th approaching straight, ridden and no impression between final 2 flights, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Mossley (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl in Oct.
Simenon (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden in 4th after 2 out, no impression entering straight, mistake last and weakened, 4th of 6, 33l behind Un Beau Matin (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov.
