waited with in 5th, steady headway 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, 2nd at the last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, lost 2nd post
never that fluent, led, mistake 8th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened next
jumped well, kept wide tracking leaders, went close 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, clear before the last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in
awkward and hit 1st, chased leader, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner when lost 2nd at the last, rallied into 2nd again post
bit keen, chased leaders on inside, not fluent 5th, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous after
CHACUN POUR SOI has only been beaten twice since joining Willie Mullins, both at Grade 1 level when an odds-on favourite. He is clear top-rated in this and had last month’s Cheltenham winner Nube Negra 25 lengths adrift at Punchestown in April though, along with Greaneteen, was behind the Skelton runner in the Champion Chase in March. Captain Guinness has never really looked like winning at the highest level but Hitman was second in the novice chase on this card last year and finished ahead of Greaneteen at Exeter last month, albeit on much more favourable terms.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 6-5fav (11-3) Chased leader, headway to 2nd at 4th, travelled well to lead narrowly before 2 out where jumped left, increased advantage at last, kept on well, won at Naas 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Nov beating Andy Dufresne (11-10) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 6-5fav (12-0) Led or disputed lead, headed briefly before 3rd, led from 4th, asserted and 4 lengths clear entering straight, extended lead after 2 out, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Allaho (12-0) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Greaneteen (FR) 18-5 (11-10) Held up in rear, closed on outside from 3rd, close up final bend, beaten from 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 20 3/4l behind Eldorado Allen (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Hitman (FR) 11-10fav (10-7) Chased leaders, closed from 7th, led before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, edged left and 1 length ahead last, edged left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Eldorado Allen (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Nube Negra (SPA) 9-4 (11-6) Held up in close 4th on inner, closer 7th (water), went 2nd 3 out, challenged out wide going well 2 out, soon led, 2 lengths ahead last, driven clear run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Politologue (11-6) by 6l, 4 ran.
