mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden early straight, soon no extra
settled towards rear, 7th halfway, smooth headway into close 3rd early straight, went 2nd and pushed along before last, kept on run-in but no chance with winner
rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, kept on one pace
always prominent, disputed lead from 2nd, narrow advantage after next, headed 4 out but remained prominent travelling well on outer, shaken up to lead before last, stayed on well, not extended
led early, remained prominent until ridden and no extra from 4 out, tailed off
always towards rear, tailed off
towards rear, headway into 4th before halfway, progress on inner to lead 4 out, slight mistake next, driven along and headed approaching last, soon no extra in 3rd, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened
It's difficult to know what to make of SIR DES CHAMPS, a winner at Auteuil in March and making his debut for Willie Mullins here. The form of that race hasn't worked out brilliantly with third-placed Sous Les Cieux being beaten at odds-on when having his first start for the champion trainer at Fairyhouse but most of today's rivals don't have the scope of the selection. Der Spieler has been taking on much better class and has twice finished runner-up in Graded events but he's won just once from a dozen starts over timber. Big Game Hunter ran very well behind Rick and Blackstairmountain at Punchestown, though that was over 2m4f and he may be better over further. White Star Line is on the upgrade but this is his first attempt at the minimum trip and Wilde Wit Pleasure keeps finding ways of getting beat.
Der Spieler (GER) 50-1 (11-0) Held up behind, short lived effort on outside approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 9, 39l behind Menorah (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
White Star Line (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Settled mid-division, headway in 6th 4 out, challenged entering straight, ridden to narrow lead last, kept on run-in, edged ahead close home, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft beating Dun Masc (11-12) by nk, 19 ran.
Wilde Wit Pleasure (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, some headway approaching 2 out, 10th entering straight, kept on under pressure from before last, 5th of 26, 4 1/2l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft.
Sir Des Champs (FR) (10-1) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f hdl sft in Mar beating Satou (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Run For Sol (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Chased clear leader in 2nd, slight mistakes 4th and 5th, soon ridden and lost touch before straight, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Sublimity (11-5) at Cork 2m hdl sft.
Larkin (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Rcd 4th/5th, gd prog to chall aftr 2out, ev ch bef last, no ex late, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Drumbledore (12-0) at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp sft in Nov.
Rushteens (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway after 3 out, kept on in straight without threatening, 9th of 20, 31l behind The Bull Hayes (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl sft.
Theholeofthemoon (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 13, 25l behind Luddsdenene (11-5) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, challenged 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra before last, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Rick (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy.
