tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, ridden in closer 2nd 2 out, no impression on easy winner approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
led early, headed 3rd, dropped to 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from before 2 out
tracked leaders in moderate 4th, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden in closer 3rd next, no impression on leaders entering straight, kept on one paced
held up in last, no impression in last 3 out, no impression in moderate 4th from last
tracked leader in 2nd early and pulled hard, led from 3rd and went quickly clear racing keenly, reduced advantage travelling well 2 out, went clear on-bridle approaching last, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, impressive
Willie Mullins has won the last three of these, the latest two with Vautour and Douvan. MIN arrived here last month with a huge reputation despite producing nothing special in two runs in France. He was up against decent opposition but treated them with disdain and looked something special. He's up against a much better rival here in Attribution, who only just failed to concede 10lb to the promising A Great View here a month ago after a winning start over hurdles at Wexford, but it will be a shock if he's beaten. Ball D'arc looks a nice prospect and was conceding 5lb when beating a Mullins hotpot at Limerick - he looks comfortably the best of the remaining trio.
Attribution 3-1 (11-10) Disputed briefly early, soon chased leader in 2nd, challenged before 2 out, led before straight, ridden to assert before last, ran around and slightly slow last where headed, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 5, 1l behind A Great View (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec.
Tongie (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders, closed approaching 2 out, challenged from before straight, one pace from before last, 3rd of 18, 13l behind Ice Cold Soul (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hvy in Dec.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 5-4 (11-7) Made all, still travelling smoothly straight, pushed along between last 2, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Berry Des Aulmes (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Gars Bar Dine (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra entering straight, 6th of 16, dist behind Victory Mill (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Min (FR) 4-11fav (11-9) Prominent, a little keen and close up in 2nd from 4th, soon led, asserted straight, stayed on well, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec beating Gurteen (11-12) by 14l, 21 ran.
