With four entries, Willie Mullins has an obvious chance of landing this Grade 2 and ALLAHO, the choice of Paul Townend, ran so well when fourth in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown that he has to be the selection. However, there are lines of form between him, his stable companion Easy Game, and Gordon Elliott's Battleoverdoyen, that's puts the trio close together. The selection had the latter well behind when a close third behind Champ in the RSA at Cheltenham and that looks the decisive run. Annamix had looked a superb prospect in his first two starts over fences but couldn't handle the step up to Grade 1 company behind Chacun Pour Soir at Leopardstown but Elimay easily landed Grade 3 and 2 events last winter and made a very satisfactory return to action over hurdles at Punchestown in November.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) (very poor visibility) chased leaders, 4th at 5th, pushed along before 3 out, no impression in moderate 5th before next, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 22 1/2l behind Min (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Easy Game (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra from next, 7th of 14, dist behind A Plus Tard (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Allaho (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inner, 6th halfway, headway in 3rd 3 out, 4th entering straight and no impression approaching last, no extra, 4th of 14, 20l behind A Plus Tard (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Annamix (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Led, joined before 5th, slight mistake 5th and headed, 4th 3 out, dropped to rear before next, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace from before last, 4th of 6, 16 3/4l behind Chacun Pour Soi (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 100-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hampered 8th, 4th halfway, 5th after 3 out, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, 6th of 14, dist behind A Plus Tard (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Elimay (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, progress into 2nd approaching 3 out and soon led, joined from next and pushed along, regained lead approaching last, ridden and pressed run-in, narrowly headed inside final 150 yards, rallied close home, just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Buildmeupbuttercup (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 3f lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Turndownthevolume (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, 4th halfway, slight mistake 12th, reminders 4 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out, stayed on into 3rd at last where left 2nd, kept on same pace run-in without troubling winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Whoyakodding (11-7) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp sft in Jan.
