raced in rear, slight mistake 2nd, improved into 3rd before 3 out, pushed along and no impression from next, fell last
made all, stretched clear before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on strongly run-in, easily
raced in 3rd, improved into 2nd after 3rd, pushed along and ridden after 2 out, no impression before last and kept on same pace run-in
chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 3rd, pushed along from 5th and dropped to rear before next, no extra from 2 out, left in 3rd at last
Nichols Canyon produced a shock two years ago when holding off his illustrious stable companion FAUGHEEN, who was beaten for the only time in 13 starts that day. The seven-times Grade 1 winner was returning from a seven-month break and looked in need of the run but put matters right at Kempton and Leopardstown later before injury curtailed his career. He has an even longer absence to overcome but his trainer won't want to leave him short this time and he can keep up his incredible record. Another former champion, Jezki, loves it around here and though just as comfortable over 3m these days still has the pace to score over this trip as he showed at Tipperary last month. Campeador is the new kid on the block for Gordon Elliott. A winner in France, he may have been on a four-timer here but for falling twice, the first of them at the last in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, and returned after a long absence to score impressively here last month. Swamp Fox has been well placed to score seven times on the Flat and over hurdles including the November Handicap at Naas while Vroum Vroum Mag is a worthy deputy for the selection having won 14 of her 21 starts including at Grade 1 level.
Campeador (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, closer in 5th after 3 out, travelled well into 3rd entering straight, 2nd last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Wakea (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Faugheen (IRE) 3-10fav (11-10) Made all, soon pressed, asserted entering straight, eased clear before last where mistake, shaken up briefly run-in, very easily, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Arctic Fire (11-10) by 15l, 5 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway 2 out and soon led, asserted approaching last and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Tipperary 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Coquin Mans (11-7) by 4l, 6 ran.
Swamp Fox (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Soon tracked leaders, 4th early, soon 3rd, challenged and led over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, all out, won at Naas 1m 6f hcp sft in Nov beating Highland Fling (8-9) by shd, 16 ran.
Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, no impression before last, 7th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Wicklow Brave (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
