led, headed halfway, 3rd 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, ridden before last, edged ahead run-in, kept on well to assert closing stages
held up, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, disputed before next, ridden approaching last, 2nd and held run-in, no extra closing stages
chased leader, close up briefly halfway, challenged and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and dropped to rear, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, improved to lead halfway, strongly pressed 3 out, soon joined, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra before last
held up, rear halfway, ridden in 4th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on run-in without reaching leaders
Gordon Elliott saddles two of the five entries. who all arrive in top form. The race conditions don't appear to suit Flouer, a dual winner in France, though ground conditions are very much in his favour. His stable companion, the four-year-old Tronador, was impressive against his own age group at Thurles last week and receives plenty of weight so has to be respected. After landing a bumper and a Wexford maiden, CAYD BOY came up against a very smart opponent in Franco De Port at Gowran and this slightly longer trip will be in his favour. Argumental got the better of the long odds-on Ciel De Neige on heavy ground at Limerick last month while Peaches And Cream landed a handicap over 2m4f at Leopardstown and won't lack for stamina.
Floueur (FR) (11-0) won at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Nov beating Raffles Classic (11-0) by 9l, 18 ran.
Cayd Boy (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 3rd, disputed 2nd at 5th, disputed lead before 3 out, travelling well when bad mistake 2 out, soon ridden, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Franco De Port (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Nov.
Argumental (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, some slight mistakes, 7th from 4th, pushed along from 3 out, progress and on terms approaching 2 out, led between last 2, kept on well run-in to just hold on, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Ciel De Neige (11-2) by hd, 17 ran.
Peaches And Cream (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression early straight, switched right approaching last, ridden and kept on well outer to lead inside final 100 yards, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec beating Millen To One (10-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tronador (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th after 4 out and headway approaching straight, led 2 out, soon ridden to assert and 3 lengths lead at last, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding in Jan beating Pepper'n Salt (11-7) by 8l, 11 ran.
