led, pressed straight and joined, headed and dropped to 3rd approaching last, one pace
soon tracked leaders, a little slow in jumping throughout, closed up after 7th, soon 2nd, ridden 3 out where a little slow, lost place next, soon no impression in rear
close up, lost place and under pressure from 3 out, soon prominent again, no impression in 5th approaching straight, weakened and eased
held up, not fluent 1st, soon tracked leaders, no impression in 4th approaching straight, soon no extra
held up towards rear, slight mistake 4th, 5th after 5th, slight mistake 6th, good progress from 3 out, soon close up, pushed along to challenge into straight, soon on terms, headed approaching last, one pace run-in
chased leaders, last after 5th, pushed along briefly on inner after 7th, closed from next, not much room briefly before straight, soon switched left and challenged, led approaching last where slightly slow, edged right run-in, stayed on best to assert
Willie Mullins, who has only won this once in twelve years, looks determined to double his tally with half of the six strong field. Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride GITANE DU BERLAIS and his decision can be justified though Whiteout looks a realistic contender. The former has won four times over hurdles but looked a very exciting chaser when landing the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase in January and reverting to timber shouldn't be a problem. Whiteout is a smart youngster who has won three times over timber but ran her best race to date when second to Identity Thief in a Grade 2 at Down Royal. She looks better than the stable's third entry Valyssa Monterg, who won a tough handicap at the Galway Festival but has yet to race at this level. Jennies Jewel enters the fray in cracking form having easily won on the Flat at Galway last month though like last week's Naas winner Mrs Mac Veale she needs to step up a gear. Kates Benefit was a shock winner over Whiteout at Killarney in May but has been well beaten in subsequent starts.
Gitane Du Berlais (FR) 11-4fav (9-10) 7th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Ballynagour (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 5f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Jennies Jewel (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Led, joined over 3f out, led narrowly over 2f out, ridden and asserted 1 1/2f out, driven out, easily, won at Galway 1m 6f gd in Oct beating Do Try Dolly (10-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Kates Benefit (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up, no impression and slight mistake 8th, slight mistake 4 out, no extra, 11th of 17, dist behind Bally Longford (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd before straight, moderate 2nd 2 out, closed approaching last where challenged and slight mistake, soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Nov beating Roll It Out (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Valyssa Monterg (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 6th, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, under pressure in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Ballychorus (11-7) at Galway 2m 4f gd in Sep.
Whiteout (GER) 5-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon went 2nd, no impression on winner at last, kept on in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Identity Thief (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding in Oct.
