chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, not much room on inner before straight, soon no impression
took keen hold, tracked leaders, 2nd from 3rd, pushed along to challenge from before straight, no impression from before last
prominent, 3rd from 3rd, closed up before 2 out, pushed along still in 3rd from early straight, no impression from before last
chased leaders, 6th and not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, weakened
held up towards rear on outer, slight mistake 2nd, no impression from 6th, eased straight, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, closed in 2nd from before last, challenged on inner run-in, led and kept on well closing stages
led, pressed 2 out, attempted to assert approaching last where slight mistake, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
in rear, pushed along 6th, soon no danger, eased straight, tailed off
The last six renewals have produced 12/1, 20/1 and 33/1 winners but the principals should dominate. FOOTPAD just gets the vote as he has a superb pedigree and, after a narrow defeat by a subsequent Grade 2 winner in France, made all for a very impressive debut success for Willie Mullins at Gowran where he had Lagostovegas six lengths behind. Rashaan had beaten the runner-up the same distance at Roscommon in August and has since made massive progress, landing a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last month by a very long way. Campeador is from a prolific family of winners in France and came home virtually alone at Clairefontaine in June while Jer's Girl followed her Limerick success with a very smooth victory in a Listed contest at Aintree and gets the fillies' allowance. The remainder all have strong form but need to step up a gear.
Rashaan (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on strongly run-in to go clear, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Missy Tata (10-2) by 13l, 8 ran.
Campeador (FR) (10-7) won at Clairefontaine 2m 1f sft in Jun beating Capharnaum (10-5) by 15l, 17 ran.
Footpad (FR) 1-5fav (11-0) Made all, travelling well after 2 out and stretched clear run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Lagostovegas (10-7) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Le Vagabond (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd before straight, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 16 1/4l behind Rashaan (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Officer Sydney (IRE) 3-10fav (11-5) Tracked leader, carried left 1st, led 4th, jinked left before next, clear before 2 out, mistake last, stayed on, won at Perth 2m (4) gf in Sep beating Sunny Purchase (10-12) by 15l, 3 ran.
Apple's Jade (FR) (10-3) won at Vichy 2m gd in May beating Viva Brasilia (10-3) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Jer's Girl (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Led after 1st, mistake last, ridden clear, comfortably, won at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) sft in Dec beating Forgiving Glance (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Nice Vintage (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden 2 out, no impression before last, 3rd of 15, 22 3/4l behind Allblak Des Places (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
