settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd entering straight, challenge 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on strongly run-in to go clear, impressive
held up, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd before straight, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace
chased leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistakes 2nd and 5th, challenged before 3 out, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, soon no extra and weakened entering straight
held up towards rear, slightly slow and pushed along briefly 3rd, slight mistake 4th, ridden and no impression entering straight
chased leader, mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no exra after 3 out, weakened entering straight
held up towards rear, closer in 5th before straight, ridden entering straight, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd before 3 out, challenge 3 out, led entering straight, pressed 2 out and soon ridden, headed before last, soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace, swished tail run-in
led, clear from 2nd, mistake and reduced advantage 4th, clear again next, reduced advantage 4 out, strongly pressed before 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
The last seven favourites have won this, four of them odds-on, and MISSY TATA should join that roll of honour. Placed in testing ground at Auteuil, she made a spectacular start for Gordon Elliott at Down Royal, slamming the in-form Lake Champlain by 19l with Tiliver another 15l back in third. Elliott also runs the newcomer Rocket Punch, a dual winner over a mile for Andrew Balding during the summer. Rashaan has a double penalty for impressive victories at Roscommon and Listowel and he looks a very nice prospect as does Le Vagabond, a dual Flat winner in France and the very easy winner of a Thurles maiden for Edward O'Grady. There are plenty of nice types amongst the remainder but the principals will be difficult to beat.
Rashaan (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Settled 3rd, closer in 3rd 4 out, improved to 2nd 3 out, almost on terms 2 out, soon led travelling well, kept on well, easily, won at Listowel 2m Grp 3 sft in Sep beating Crocosmia (10-5) by 7l, 7 ran.
Le Vagabond (FR) 8-13fav (10-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 2 out, asserted before last, easily, won at Thurles 2m mdn gf in Oct beating Buyer Beware (10-12) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Newberry New (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, chased winner straight, challenged at last, every chance run-in, kept on well without quite matching winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Thywillbedone (10-7) at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov.
Rocket Punch (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on into 4th inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Empress Ali (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Sports Barrow (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, under pressure from 3 out, no impression from before straight, soon no extra and eased, 6th of 9, dist behind Thywillbedone (10-7) at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov.
Tiliver (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, impeded 5th where left 2nd, pushed along briefly on inner approaching 3 out, soon under pressure and switched left, no impression 2 out and slightly impeded, no extra, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Missy Tata (10-5) at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Oct.
Missy Tata (FR) Evensfav (10-5) Chased leaders in 4th, left 3rd from 5th, closed up on outer approaching 3 out, soon challenged travelling smoothly and led, asserted from 2 out and inclined to swish tail, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Oct beating Lake Champlain (11-8) by 19l, 6 ran.
Thywillbedone (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Led, pushed along and attempted to assert from before straight, reduced lead and pressed when slightly slow last, strongly pressed and stayed on best run-in, won at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov beating Newberry New (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
