held up in last throughout, detached from 3rd, tailed off 5 out, left remote 2nd at last
tracked leader in 2nd, jumped left 7th and 8th, ridden from 2 out, no impression on winner when fell at last
made all, jumped left at 2nd and 4th, not fluent 7th, travelling well 2 out, on bridle when left well clear at last. unchallenged
Another shocking turnout for a Grade 2. VAUTOUR will be at long odds-on even though he was when beaten a long way by Clarcam in a Grade 1 here last month where he lost his long unbeaten run in Ireland. He'd beaten the winner easily at Navan earlier and a couple of bad mistakes were his undoing in the rematch. He still managed to finish 13 lengths in front of Real Steel, who looks booked for second. A bit of enterprise by his trainer will see Aladdins Cave, who has been running on the all-weather this winter, collect at least the third prize on his debut over fences at the age of 11 if he completes.
Aladdins Cave 20-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 14th of 20, well behind Greatness (9-7) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Real Steel (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, hit 1st, slight mistake 6th and joined, left in lead again from next, bad mistake 8th and joined, headed before 2 out, 4th before straight, no extra from before last, 4th of 6, 30l behind Clarcam (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Vautour (FR) 1-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, slight mistake 3rd, on terms 6th, bad mistake 7th and headed, got on terms again before 2 out, soon under pressure and headed, no impression straight, dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on for a share of 2nd on line, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Clarcam (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
