tracked leaders, soon 4th, closed up from before straight travelling smoothly and soon led, slight mistake last, ridden to assert and stayed on well run-in, eased close home
held up in touch, went 3rd approaching last, ridden and stayed on well without troubling winner into 2nd close home
in rear, slight mistake 2 out, soon one pace under pressure
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, challenged in 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 3rd close home
chased leaders, ridden and switched right straight, soon no impression, one pace
soon disputed lead, slightly hampered 2nd, led narrowly from 2 out, headed straight, no extra and one pace in 4th from before last
soon led, joined when jumped right 2nd and 3rd, narrowly headed from 2 out where slight mistake, weakened from before last
ESPOIR D'ALLEN was very good value for his four-and-a-half length victory over Mitchouka in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 and though he has a 3lb penalty it doesn't appear likely to prevent him retaining his unbeaten record. The runner-up's yard is also represented by Farclas, a winner on the Flat in France in August. The filly Grey Waters looked a smart prospect before a poor run in an Aintree Listed contest though that wasn't her form and much better is anticipated. She had Minnie Dahill a long way behind when scoring at Listowel in September and the latter is also held by the selection on their run at Punchestown. Tenth Amendment was beaten 10 lengths by Mitchouka at Fairyhouse last month with subsequent winner Mastermind behind.
Espoir D'Allen (FR) 8-13fav (10-13) Waited with at steady pace until closed up 4th and soon 2nd, led before straight, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Mitchouka (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Farclas (FR) (8-11) won at Clairefontaine 1m 4f mdn gf in Aug beating County Fair (9-3) by hd, 14 ran.
Mastermind (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Soon mid-division, 10th at 3rd, closed up travelling smoothly straight, led before last, asserted and stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Randalls Ur Poet (11-0) by 5l, 19 ran.
Mitchouka (FR) 6-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders at steady pace, went 2nd into straight, slight mistake 2 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Espoir D'allen (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Tenth Amendment (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Mandarin Monarch (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Grey Waters (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up off the pace, pushed along before 5th, tried to close in 4th when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Famous Milly (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) hvy in Dec.
Minnie Dahill (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, slight mistake 6th, headed from early straight, soon no impression in 2nd and fell last, at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Desert Grey (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, no impression in straight, eased final furlong, 12th of 14, 18 3/4l behind New Story (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Nov.
