tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out and dropped to 5th, weakened, eased run-in, tailed off
slowly away and always trailing, never a factor, tailed off
made all, drew clear approaching last, kept on well, comfortably
chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression after 2 out, no extra
This has been won by some top performers including Moscow Flyer, Big Zeb and Sizing Europe. The last-named's yard is represented by Days Hotel but both he and Irish Thistle were behind Twinlight in the Grade 2 Fortria at Navan and appear unlikely to turn the tables. The winner ran a fine race behind Dodging Bullets and Sprinter Sacre at Ascot after gaining a surprise victory over HIDDEN CYCLONE in the Grade 1 Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown with Bright New Dawn six lengths back in fourth. However, the runner-up, who has now finished second in four Grade 1 races over fences, is 8lb better off and won't get a better chance of a victory at the highest level, even though he's fallen in two of his last three starts.
Twinlight (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leader until 4 out, well outpaced next, went well held 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Mid-division, hampered 1st, slight mistake 5 out and pushed along briefly, ridden in 3rd 3 out, went moderate 2nd after 2 out, kept on without threatening winner from last, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Mallowney (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcap ch in Jan.
Days Hotel (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th 5 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Mallowney (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcap ch in Jan.
Heavenly Brook (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Prominent, soon chased leader, led before 4th, headed 5 out, regained lead 3 out, ridden and disputed 2 out, close 2nd last, every chance run-in, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Kilmurry Kid (11-4) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 5th, ridden entering straight, headed last, kept on run-in, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden from 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Felix Yonger (11-10) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Dec, 10 ran.
