led, jumped left, awkward 1st and 4 out, headed after 2 out and soon no extra
held up in rear, slightly hampered 3 out, good headway on outer to challenge entering straight, disputed approaching last, headed early run-in and soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace
settled towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden along in 4th entering straight, headway to dispute last and soon led, stayed on well under pressure run-in
settled on inner, 7th halfway, mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra in 5th from before last
tracked leaders, 4th on outer halfway, fell 3 out
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead briefly entering straight, soon joined and narrowly headed before last, no impression in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, challenged on inner entering straight, close 4th last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden after 2 out and no extra in 6th approaching last
Willie Mullins has won this five times in the past 10 years and can continue the sequence with FELIX YONGER, who found only the high-class Simonsig too strong at Cheltenham. That was a big improvement on his earlier victories and with more progress likely he looks the one to be on. A line through Cheltenham third Monksland gives him the comfortable beating of Dedigout and though Lyreen Legend and Jenari are closely matched on their 1-2 at Navan in December their overall form doesn't look strong enough. The main threat could arrive in the shape of UK challenger Colour Squadron as he was in touch and going well when falling behind Simonsig at Aintree. He's an improving type who should be suited by this stamina test and can give the selection plenty to think about.
Benefficient (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, took keen hold, not much room 1st, closed before 4th, not fluent 2 out, weakened and hung left from 2 out, 10th of 17, 48l behind Simonsig (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in last, headway 8th, close 4th and going well enough when fell 3 out, in a race won by Simonsig (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd, 10 ran.
Dedigout (IRE) 11-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway in 8th entering straight, ridden into 3rd 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gs beating Novarov (10-8) by 2l, 24 ran.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, stayed on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Simonsig (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Jenari (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, closer order 3 out, challenged next, soon led, ridden clear before last, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd beating Bridgets Pet (11-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th before straight, ridden in pursuit of winner and no impression from before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Jenari (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Led and attempted to make all, tended to jump slightly right, tried to assert approaching 2 out, 2 length advantage at last, soon strongly pressed and headed, no impression on winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Mount Benbulben (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Texas Jack (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, nudged along before 3 out, soon struggling, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 15l behind Jenari (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
