held up in 6th, went 5th 4 out, 3rd when left moderate 2nd 3 out, ridden in moderate 2nd next, no impression on winner before last, dropped to 4th after last, no impression
made all, clear from early, slight mistake 5th, well clear at halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and clear before last, mistake at last, kept on under hands and heels run-in, reduced advantage close home
tracked leader in moderate 2nd, under pressure and dropped to moderate 4th when left 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
held up in 5th, took keen hold, pushed along at 7th, no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, 5th when left moderate 4th 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th entering straight, went moderate 2nd after last, kept on without threatening winner
tracked leaders early until mistake at 1st and dropped to last, went moderate 6th 3 out, ridden in moderate 4th and left 3rd next, moderate 4th before last, 3rd after last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, improved into moderate 2nd travelling fine when fell 2 out
Although Willie Mullins has four entries this features the long-awaited return of Sizing John. The 2017 Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups hero is also a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and though unraced since finishing distressed at Leopardstown two years ago goes well fresh. The champion trainer's quartet are headed by the Cesarewitch winner Stratum, though his overall form over timber doesn't match that of SAGLAWY, a Grade 2 winner who was successful on the Flat in September. Paul Townend takes the ride and his mount can take this as Burrows Saint, Sayo, Kitten Rock and Cracking Smart are all better known as chasers nowadays.
Stratum 7-1 (10-1) Close up early, soon mid-division, 10th approaching halfway, effort straight, one pace over 1f out, 10th of 16, 12l behind Jukebox Jive (8-5) at Naas 1m 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Burrows Saint (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, headed at 8th, disputed 3rd next, ridden in 3rd from 3 out, moderate 3rd entering straight, left moderate 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, moderate 3rd at last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 26 3/4l behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Cracking Smart (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Soon led and disputed, slight mistake 4th, slight mistake 2 out, soon headed, no extra and one pace after, 7th of 15, 20 3/4l behind Alfa Mix (9-13) at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Kitten Rock (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, badly hampered 6 out, moderate 8th and mistake 4 out, no impression from next, 14th of 22, dist behind Clarcam (10-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Saglawy (FR) 8-1 (9-3) A little keen, soon prominent and led soon after 3f, joined 2 1/2f out, headed 2f out, soon no extra, 11th of 16, 13l behind Jukebox Jive (8-5) at Naas 1m 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Sayo 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, dropped to rear at 2nd, slightly detached after 4th, detached and slight mistake at 8th, jumped left 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) sft in Nov.
Sizing John 9-10fav (11-10) 5th after 7th, slight mistake 12th, no extra and not fluent last, 7th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
