made all, shied at road after 3rd, clear from halfway, slightly reduced advantage before last, stretched clear again run-in, not extended
chased leader, moderate 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, closer but no chance with winner before last, kept on one pace
held up in 3rd, dropped to 4th and slow at 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, completely tailed off
held up in last, 3rd from 4th, slight mistakes 5th and 4 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins has won the last two and UN DE SCEAUX will be at very short odds to complete the treble. He puts his Champion Hurdle credentials on the line and the unbeaten ex-French gelding should have few problems justifying his place near the head of the market at Cheltenham. He's hardly broke sweat in his three minor race victories and has frightened away the opposition. His stablemate Midnight Game, a regular performer though rare winner in this sort of grade, looks destined for the runners-up spot as neither the novice Chicago nor the moderate The Four Elms look to have the quality to cause an upset.
Un De Sceaux (FR) Evens2fav (11-6) Made all, went clear from after 4 out, stayed on strongly from next, easily, won at Navan 2m hdl sft in Jan beating Akatara (10-4) by well, 3 ran.
Midnight Game 14-1 (11-10) Raced in 4th throughout, ridden and no impression approaching last where not fluent, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 7l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) in Nov.
The Four Elms (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Raced mainly in rear, 3rd approaching 5 out, dropped to rear again from 3 out, soon no extra, last of 4, 25l behind Waaheb (11-9) at Cork 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
Chicago (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd last, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 15l behind Vautour (11-0) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan.
