in rear, closed up on inner travelling smoothly straight, switched right and led before last, ridden to assert and stayed on strongly run-in, impressive
raced in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, closed up and slight mistake 2 out, lost place and no extra approaching last
raced in 3rd, lost position from 2 out, dropped to rear and no extra straight
led and soon went on, reduced lead before 4th, quickly clear again, came back to field and slight mistake 3 out, headed approaching last, soon no extra
raced in 4th, closed up travelling smoothly and not much room briefly after 2 out, led approaching last, quickly headed, no extra and one pace run-in
raced in 5th, closed and effort on outer into straight, no extra in 3rd at last, one pace
Willie Mullins has won this for the past three years. SANCTA SIMONA will need to improve again from her Grade 3 victory at Down Royal but she's a cracking prospect who receives an allowance and could be good enough. Tintangle is the other mare in the race though she only scrambled home in a Thurles maiden so needs much more. Triplicate had the selection's stable companion Aramon just behind at Listowel in September and again when runner-up to Quick Grabim in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. That's top-class form and he looks a major threat but both Daly Tiger and Due Reward are tacking much stronger company and will need massive improvement.
Aramon (GER) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in last, closer in 3rd after 3 out, ridden in 2nd briefly 2 out, 3rd at last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Quick Grabim (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) gd in Dec.
Daly Tiger (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Soon led, pressed from 4th, ridden and disputed entering straight, kept on best to edge ahead run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Alighted (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
Due Reward (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Settled 3rd, 4th after 4th, progress to 3rd before 5th, travelled well and on terms 2 out, soon led, pushed along and asserted before last, kept on strongly, easily, won at Punchestown 2m gd in Dec beating Minella Times (11-1) by 9l, 5 ran.
Triplicate (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, dropped to 4th after 3 out, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and headway into 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Quick Grabim (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) gd in Dec.
Sancta Simona (FR) Evensfav (10-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, took closer order from 3 out and disputed lead before next, pushed along and led before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Holding Pattern (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Tintangle (IRE) 11-8fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, not go with leader from between last 2 until challenged again last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Thurles 2m gd in Nov beating Sassy Diva (10-12) by hd, 6 ran.
