raced in 2nd, closed up 5 out, on terms approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and headed, no extra approaching last, one pace
raced in 3rd, dropped to last before straight, soon no impression, one pace
led, joined approaching 2 out, soon regained lead travelling smoothly, quickly asserted, stayed on well, easily
waited with in rear, pushed along briefly 5th, slight mistake 5 out, pushed along again briefly from 3 out and closed, not match front pair from before 2 out, one pace
A Grade 1 in which Gordon Elliott had four of the original seven entries and Joseph O'Brien the remaining three. The presence of the brilliant ENVOI ALLEN has frightened away any credible opposition and should see victory number 10 in succession for the triple Grade 1-winning hurdler who jumped well on his chasing debut at Down Royal. It would be a huge shock if he was beaten though the two O'Brien entries both arrive in excellent form. Home By The Lee scrambled home on his chasing bow but showed the benefit when landing a Cork Grade 3 while useful hurdler Assemble defied a bad mistake to score on heavy ground at Fairyhouse and Rachael Blackmore keeps the ride. Coko Beach couldn't quite hold off stable companion Pencilfulloflead at Galway but the winner went on to land a tough Grade 2 at Punchestown.
Assemble 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd after 3 out, 2nd and mistake 2 out, soon led, ridden approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov beating Opposites Attract (12-0) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Coko Beach (FR) 10-1 (12-0) Led and disputed, slight mistake 1st, led halfway, pressed 2 out, ridden and joined after last, narrowly headed 1f out, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Pencilfulloflead (12-0) at Galway 2m 7f sft in Oct.
Envoi Allen (FR) 1-14fav (12-0) Led until joined 3rd, soon headed, 2nd halfway, led again travelling well on inner before 3 out, eased clear before last, kept on well run-in, not extended, won at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Oct beating January Jets (12-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Home By The Lee (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Prominent early, 6th from 6th, slight mistake 5 out, 7th approaching 4 out, headway to chase leaders straight, challenged from before last, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Waitnsee (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
