chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge entering straight, under pressure in 2nd and switched out before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden to challenge entering straight, led before last, kept on strongly, eased close home
held up, mainly 4th, ridden after 2 out, no impression entering straight, weakened approaching last, eased run-in
held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 4th run-in
led, ridden and pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
Willie Mullins has three of the five entries and MYSKA should prove the best of them and remain unbeaten. She's been odds-on for all three starts to date and though not winning by far her victory in a Listed race at Taunton suggests she's still on the upgrade as a Grade 1 entry next month suggests. Royal Cavalier scrambled home at Thurles in November and it will be a surprise if he's good enough to concede his stable companion weight while Monbeg Rose was a major disappointment on the same track though she appeared to find 2m6f much to far despite having won between the flags. Staker Wallace appears outclassed but Ball D'arc looks a threat to the Mullins trio. Gordon Elliott's charge looked a nice prospect when beating Berry Des Aumes at Limerick and though unable to cope with the very impressive Min in a Grade 2 at Punchestown ran well for a long way.
Royal Caviar (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress approaching straight and challenged 2 out, pushed along and no impression in 2nd before last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead inside final 100 yards, won at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Haymount (11-12) by nk, 17 ran.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 12-1 (11-0) 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, 3rd of 5, 10 3/4l behind Min (11-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Myska (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in touch on outside, headway before 2 out, led between last 2, not fluent last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Taunton 2m lst (1) hvy in Dec beating Jessber's Dream (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Staker Wallace (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, 7th before straight, kept on same pace from 2 out,, 4th of 20, 12l behind Nambour (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Monbeg Rose (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led, ran freely, slight mistake 1st, headed after 4 out, pushed along and no extra in 3rd after 3 out, soon weakened and mistake next, pulled up after 2 out, at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Jan.
