led, strongly pressed from 2 out, kept on well run-in, headed near finish
prominent, soon 2nd, closed up straight and effort, stayed on well run-in to lead near finish
prominent, soon 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along on inner approaching 2 out where 4th and mistake and no impression, 3rd again run-in, one pace
waited with, in touch towards rear, mistake 4 out, closed approaching 2 out, soon 3rd and no impression, dropped to 5th and no extra run-in
waited with behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, a little keen and soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, no impression before next in 5th, 4th again run-in, one pace
waited with, in touch on outer and a little keen in 5th, closed up from 4 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon dropped to last and weakened
Gordon Elliott has won the last four of these including with Tiger Roll, a shock winner in 2019 on his way to Cheltenham and Aintree Glory. It's very difficult to imagine a repeat here and the stable look to have a much better chance with FURY ROAD. Beaten a neck behind Monkfish in last year's Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, he has a penalty for his Grade 2 victory at Punchestown in November and though disappointing in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown can bounce back. Sixshooter and Darasso were well beaten behind Sam's Profile in the Galmoy at Gowran when Scarpeta pulled up, though Joseph O'Brien's charge looks capable of better than he showed that day. Beacon Edge looks a real threat after a very close third behind Honeysuckle and Ronald Pump in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse and he didn't enjoy dropping to the minimum trip at Naas. Decor Irlandais and French Dynamite need to improve but the latter, in particular, has the scope to do so.
Fury Road (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, 4th and pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Flooring Porter (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, closed up before 4th, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 5, 5 3/4l behind Bachasson (11-3) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Darasso (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, slight mistake 7th, progress into 5th after 3 out, ridden entering straight, 6th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 17 1/2l behind Sams Profile (11-5) at Gowran Park 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
Decor Irlandais (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Waited with, soon in rear, slight mistake 4 out, headway on outer approaching straight, soon prominent travelling smoothly, on terms 2 out, soon led, strongly pressed and edged right run-in, stayed on well under pressure, won at Killarney 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Aug beating William of Wykeham (10-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Scarpeta (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 6th, 5th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, weakened 3 out, behind when mistake 2 out and pulled up before last, at Gowran Park 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along 13th, struggling 19th, last next, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
French Dynamite (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last where not fluent, no extra run-in, 5th of 7, 10l behind Flooring Porter (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Sixshooter (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 11 1/2l behind Sams Profile (11-5) at Gowran Park 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
