led, soon clear, mistake 5 out, reduced lead from between last 2, headed before last, one pace
in rear, impeded 9th, no impression from before 4 out, not fluent last, kept on into 4th close home
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 9th, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression in 3rd, not fluent last, dropped to rear close home
chased leaders in 3rd, fell 9th
held up in 5th, left poor 4th and impeded 9th, mistake 4 out, soon no impression, not fluent last, kept on into 3rd closing stages
held up in 4th, slightly impeded and left poor 3rd from 9th, pushed along approaching straight, moderate 2nd from before 2 out, closed from between last 2, led before last, eased away run-in
Racegoers are in for a treat in this Listed contest with the first appearance for almost two years of SIR DES CHAMPS. Willie Mullins' nine-year-old reached the peak of his form in the spring of 2013, landing the Hennessy at Leopardstown, beating Long Run in the Punchestown Gold Cup and finishing runner-up to Bobs Worth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The race conditions greatly favour him as he receives 7lb from Rubi Light, who has never really kicked on from his 2011 John Durkan victory. Lyreen Legend, runner-up to Lord Windermere at Cheltenham in 2013, has competed exclusively at Grade 1 level subsequently so this is a big drop in class though he finds himself on level terms with a genuine top-class performer. Mala Beach, a Grade 2 winner over timber, has only had three runs over fences but looks a very good prospect for the future.
Rubi Light (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress into 10th before 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 7th of 18, 31 1/4l behind Ballyadam Approach (9-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Led, pressed entering straight, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra in 4th and slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Holeinthewall Bar (10-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
Maggio (FR) 10-1 (11-9) In touch on outer, went 2nd after 11th, ridden and one pace after 2 out, no impression with front pair approaching last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Benbens (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Mala Beach (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 10th, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression before last, no extra, 4th of 7, 19l behind Don Poli (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Disputed early, soon chased leader, led 8th, slight mistake 5 out, strongly pressed from 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra in 4th when mistake 2 out, 6th and mistake last, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Sir Des Champs (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, close 3rd 2 out but ridden in 4th approaching last, no impression run-in, 4th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Bobs Worth (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
