chased leaders in 3rd, slow 6th and soon pulled up
tracked leader in 2nd, pecked 4 out, pushed along and headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden and drew clear run-in, kept on well
led, 2 lengths clear halfway, pushed along and headed 2 out, ridden and slight mistake last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
Just 2lb separates the three runners on official ratings. The Storyteller had a superb 2020 culminating in a Grade 1 victory over 3m at Down Royal in October. Runner-up to Kemboy in the Irish Gold Cup over that trip, he'd earlier been beaten seven lengths by EASY GAME in a Grade 2 over this trip at Gowran and Willie Mullins' charge also holds a race-fitness advantage having finished an excellent second in the Galway Plate. He gets the nod over Ballyoisin, a dual Grade 2 winner over fences, who reappeared after a very long break with a convincing victory at Ballinrobe. He's receiving weight from both opponents and will be attempting to add to his impressive career strike-rate of 11-24.
The Storyteller (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Waited with, 11th after 5th, kept on without threatening from before straight, 7th of 14, 30l behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Easy Game (FR) 28-1 (11-9) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on into 6th after last, 4th entering straight, 2nd 1f out, kept on without reaching winner, 2nd of 22, 1l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-5) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Ballyoisin (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Led, not fluent at 3rd, increased advantage after 5th, jumped left at 6th, reduced lead 3 out, not fluent at last, kept on well, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f gd in Aug beating Exit Poll (11-9) by 4 1/4l, 5 ran.
