in touch in rear, slight mistake 1st, went moderate 5th and mistake at 6th, mistake 7th, remote 4th and ridden 4 out, distant 4th from 2 out, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd throughout, ridden and no impression on winner 3 out, moderate 2nd from next, distant 2nd and mistake at last
made all, went clear of main danger 3 out, well clear 2 out, stayed on strongly straight, not extended, very easily
tracked leaders in 3rd, pulled hard, close enough in 3rd when fell 3 out
tracked leaders early, dropped to rear at 6th, slight mistake 7th and reminder next, weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch in rear, pushed along briefly at 2nd, moderate 5th at halfway, remote 6th and ridden 4 out, weakened
in rear, remote 5th 4 out, ridden from next, distant 4th entering straight, 3rd at last, no impression
Pure Genius has shown ability in two of his three starts over timber but this is a big step up in trip for Ted Walsh’s gelding. FANTASIO D’ALENE was only headed on the run-in over 2m3f at Naas in November and his cause wasn’t helped by Jack Kennedy dropping his whip. He’s also trying a new trip but is the one to beat if lasting home, though newcomer and stablemate Command Chain wouldn’t need to be anything special to also play a part. Mahler Allstar placed over 3m between the flags and also over 2m4f last time at Leopardstown so can’t be ignored.
Command Chain (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Our Genevieve.
Fantasio D'alene (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon 4th, 3rd from 5th, slightly impeded 3 out, soon pushed along, on terms before 2 out, soon led and rider lost whip, joined before last, headed run-in, one pace after, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 20, 2 1/4l behind Vanillier (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Pure Genius (FR) 5-2 (12-0) Prominent in 2nd, not fluent 5th, on terms from 3 out, soon headed, pushed along from 2 out, soon no impression, no extra in 3rd approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 19, 24l behind Razzle Dazzle Love (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn hvy in Dec.
Sean Hogan (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 6th halfway, pushed along before 3 out and soon no impression, not fluent last, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Battle Of Actium (11-6) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Two Robins (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Alwys in rr, mstks, 5th 5out, no ex frm 3out, ko bhnd, 5th of 8, 27 1/2l behind Islandray (12-2) at Fairyhouse Ptp 3m mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
The Cool Dude 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th after 8th, soon lost position, pushed along after 4 out, no extra from before 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Velvet Elvis (11-10) at Cork 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Nothinbuttime (IRE) 200-1 (11-7) Towards rear, slight mistakes 7th and 8th, mistake 9th, soon pushed along and detached, weakened, pulled up before 5 out, at Thurles 3m 1f sft in Dec.
Johngus (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Disputed lead, headed from 2nd, close up and disputed after, some slight mistakes and not always fluent jumping, led from 8th, joined after 4 out, headed from 3 out, no extra from 2 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 14l behind Velvet Elvis (11-10) at Cork 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Mahler Allstar (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, progress after 2nd, 9th halfway, stayed on to 5th over 1f out, kept on to 3rd closing stages, not trouble principals, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Stattler (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
