soon tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, travelling smoothly and led from early straight, soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily
prominent, soon 2nd and took keen hold, lost place approaching straight, weakened
held up, 9th approaching 4th, no impression from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening
in rear, some headway but no impression from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening
soon raced in 4th, no impression when left 3rd and impeded last, kept on same pace
held up, not fluent 3rd, 10th approaching 4th, not fluent 3 out, no impression from next
held up, slight mistake 2nd, 8th approaching 4th, not fluent 3 out, no impression from next
soon raced in 5th, slight mistake 6th, not fluent 2 out, no extra straight
led, slight mistake 6th, headed from early straight, soon no impression in 2nd and fell last
soon raced in 7th, slight mistake 5th, not fluent 3 out, no impression and one pace from before straight
soon raced in 6th, slight mistake 3 out, no impression in 3rd when left 2nd and impeded last where not fluent, kept on same pace
Signifiant, a winner over hurdles in France in April, finished runner-up at Clairefontaine in June and looks a nice acquisition for Sue Bramall. Minnie Dahill hasn't done as well as expected since landing a Down Royal maiden in September and had a run on the Flat to sharpen her up a fortnight ago. Joseph O'Brien won this last year with Landofhopeandglory and North Carolina, a son of Galileo, is one to note after just one run for Aidan O'Brien last year. Gavin Cromwell has three entries with the filly Famous Milly, rated 78 after landing a strong Listowel handicap on heavy going, possible the best though this can be left to MITCHOUKA. Gordon Elliott's charge was headed on the line when making his hurdling debut at Thurles and showed the benefit with a facile victory at Fairyhouse and it will take a big performance to lower his colours.
Mitchouka (FR) 1-5fav (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon went clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Tenth Amendment (10-12) by 10l, 15 ran.
Signifiant (FR) (10-12) 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Ballywood (10-12) at Clairefontaine 2m 1f hvy in Jun.
A Place Apart (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, soon raced in 8th, closed straight, kept on well without reaching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 3/4l behind Aa Bee See (9-1) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp hvy in Oct.
Callthebarman (IRE) Lord Shanakill gelding out of African Scene.
Cosy Club (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Teo's Music (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Erquy (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, last of 15, dist behind Mitchouka (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Go Guarantor 10-1 (9-5) Dwelt and pushed along early, always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Ben Rumson (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Havelock (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Rear, 17th halfway,no impression, never a factor, 14th of 17, 28 3/4l behind Empress Lyla (9-9) at Galway 1m hcp sft in Aug.
Minnie Dahill (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, disputed 4th approaching halfway, challenged straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Warnaq (9-0) at Naas 1m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
North Carolina (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Missed break, soon raced in mid-division, 5th 3f out, ridden under 2f out, no impression, kept on final furlong to 4th close home, never nearer, 4th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Whitecliffsofdover (9-5) at Naas 7f mdn gd in Aug.
Famous Milly (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Held up, no impression from before straight, 13th of 16, 19 3/4l behind Wonder Laish (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
