held up early, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 5 out, pressed leader after 3 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, improved to dispute at 8th, led next, pressed after 3 out, asserted 2 out, pushed out briefly run-in, easily
led, joined 8th, mistake and headed next, close up again before 10th, dropped to 3rd before 5 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened
slightly slow 1st, soon chased leader in 2nd, slightly slow 7th, soon dropped to rear, reminder 9th, pushed along next, ridden and no impression 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
These four runners represent yards that have won the last three renewals including last year’s winner Champagne West. The latter has every chance again on these terms but comes up against the progressive BACHASSON. Willie Mullins’ charge posted an impressive Listed win at Thurles on his reappearance and looks worth pitching against these tougher rivals with more to come from him. A Toi Phil is conceding plenty of weight to stablemate Lord Scoundrel but arrives in much better form having finished a respectable fourth in the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown last month.
A Toi Phil (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in 4th, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 13 3/4l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Bachasson (FR) 8-11fav (11-4) Chased leader in 2nd, challenged briefly 5th, improved to lead 5 out, asserted after 4 out, clear next, easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Val De Ferbet (11-7) by 24l, 4 ran.
Champagne West (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led, slight mistake and headed 4th, led again 8th and headed after next, led briefly when slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Alpha Des Obeaux (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, 15th after 10th, well behind before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Listowel 3m hcp hvy in Sep.