led, jumped left 1st and soon headed, mistake 2nd, tracked leaders in 3rd until lost place after 5th, detached before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders in 5th, 4th 3 out, no impression on easy winner in moderate 3rd after next, kept on one pace
always rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden and detached before 3 out, tailed off
settled towards rear in 6th, no impression entering straight and moderate 6th 2 out, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd entering straight and no impression in moderate 4th approaching last, kept on one pace
settled towards rear, not fluent 5th and 3 out, progress early straight and ridden in moderate 2nd after 2 out, no impression on easy winner, kept on
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 3rd, 2nd 3 out and ridden entering straight, no extra from 2 out & moderate 5th before last
led after 1st, not fluent 4th, asserted early straight and in command after 2 out, stayed on well, impressive
Our Conor won this a year ago before going on to Grade 1 glory. The only newcomer in the race, Elishpour, was a smart performer on the Flat in France and Tony Martin wouldn't be running him unless he was well regarded. Clarcam, who beat the well-touted Indian Icon at Thurles when subsequent winners Gerdago and Sin Miedo were behind, is doing very well but had earlier been just over two lengths behind Willie Mullins' Noble Inn at Ballinrobe. The latter then finished nine lengths behind stablemate ANALIFET at Punchestown and, though 4lb better off, hardly seems likely to reverse the form as the winner was novicey at his obstacles and will have come on for the experience.
Authorative (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Soon led, headed after 3rd, 3rd 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened entering straight and soon dropped to last, last of 5, well behind Analifet (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 3yo hdl in Nov.
Clarcam (FR) 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 4 out, pressed 2 out, asserted from before last where wandered about a bit, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Indian Icon (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Diesel Ten (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders and 8th halfway, 6th 3 out but no impression approaching next, moderate 7th and no extra when mistake last, 8th of 16, 41l behind Gerdago (11-0) at Navan 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Nov.
Elishpour (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) 3rd of 6, 1l behind Valirann (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 1m 5f 3yo stk sft in Aug (flat).
Gerdago (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Disputed lead until led after 4th, mistake 3 out, asserted before next where mistake, drew clear before last and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Nov beating Moss Street (11-0) by 13l, 16 ran.
Noble Inn (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon 2nd, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Analifet (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 3yo hdl in Nov.
Sin Miedo (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Led after 1st and soon clear, in command from 3 out, stayed on well straight, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Nov beating Frozen North (11-0) by 10l, 14 ran.
Analifet (FR) 1-3fav (11-0) Always prominent, led after 3rd, went clear travelling well after 2 out, ran on strongly from last, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 3yo hdl in Nov beating Noble Inn (11-7) by 9l, 5 ran.
