tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out, headway travelling well between horses to lead before last, soon asserted run-in and stayed on well, easily
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd after 4 out and headway to challenge 2 out, pushed along and led briefly approaching last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
led or disputed lead early, headed 2nd, remained prominent, slight mistake 6th, bad mistake 7th, dropped to rear and pulled up before next
prominent and led from 2nd, pressed 2 out, soon pushed along and headed approaching last, 3rd at last, ridden and no extra run-in
towards rear, 4th 4 out, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra in rear approaching last, eased run-in
towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, in rear 4 out, pushed along 2 out, 4th and ridden early straight, no impression before last, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in
Min finished second last year behind CHACUN POUR SOI but had won the race in the previous two seasons. Both arrive in top form but the latter was very impressive last time and there appears no reason why last year's result shouldn't be confirmed. Notebook, who beat Fakir D'oudairies 12 lengths in a Grade 2 at Naas in November and won two Grade 1 events last winter, couldn't match strides with the selection in a Grade 1 here in December and may have to settle for a place. Tornado Flyer was only beaten a length by Min in a strong renewal of the John Durkan then found 3m beyond him in the Savills Chase on this track but Sizing Pottsie paid the penalty for too many mistakes at Fairyhouse.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 4-7fav (12-0) Chased leader, disputed before 5th, led 3 out, travelled best entering straight, pushed out to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Notebook (12-0) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders early, slight mistake 1st, mid-division, 7th 4 out, pushed along and no extra after next, weakened, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Min (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) (very poor visibility) led, still travelling well in front before 2 out, ridden and joined before last, led again after last and stayed on best run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Tornado Flyer (11-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Notebook (GER) 7-2 (12-0) Chased leader, disputed before 5th, headed 3 out, ridden after last, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Chacun Pour Soi (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 4-9fav (11-2) Led and clear after 2nd, slight mistake next, 8 lengths lead halfway, not fluent 3 out, soon extended advantage, slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and 8 lengths clear when fell last, at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway in 8th after 3 out, 5th and pushed along after 2 out, no impression early straight, no extra before last, 5th of 14, 37l behind A Plus Tard (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
