tracked leaders, progress on inner after 4 out, disputed approaching straight, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in, eased
tracked leader, led 4th, mistake 6th and headed, progress to lead again 4 out, pushed along and headed entering straight, no extra after 2 out
led, headed 4th, pushed along and dropped to 5th after 4 out, ridden to go 3rd 2 out, progress under pressure to lead last, kept on well run-in
in rear, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra approaching straight, kept on one pace to go moderate 4th run-in
tracked leaders, progress to lead halfway, headed 4 out, pushed along and dropped to 5th after 3 out, no extra
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leaders, progress 3 out and challenged entering straight, pushed along and led briefly before last, headed last and no impression on winner run-in
Champagne Classic was beaten just over a length by TIN SOLDIER over three miles at Fairyhouse last month when conceding 8lb. He was travelling best of all at this trip and has since gained a convincing victory over slightly further on this course. The winner looks to have it all to do to confirm the form but that was his first run for Willie Mullins and his first since the summer of 2015 so he's taken to complete a double. Justmemyselfandi was 20 lengths behind Champagne Classic in a Fairyhouse bumper but has improved since turning to hurdles though this is much tougher than his recent Leopardstown victory. Moulin A Vent looked one to follow when slamming a big field at Punchestown and didn't run badly when stepped up to Grade 2 company next time while the progressive Cork winner Indian Monsoon looks best of the remainder.
Champagne Classic (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Soon chased leaders, moderate 4th at 8th, 3rd from 10th, closed from before 3 out, 2nd from before straight travelling smoothly, on terms 2 out, soon led, ridden to assert between last 2, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn sft in Feb beating Freeway Space (10-11) by 8 1/2l, 18 ran.
Justmemyselfandi (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd from 4th, improved to chase winner straight, stayed on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f mdn gd in Jan beating Harold Peto (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Tin Soldier (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, 7th at 7th, improved into 3rd early straight, slight mistake 2 out, 2nd approaching last, led run-in and stayed on best, won at Fairyhouse 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Champagne Classic (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Ask Nile (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders and close up, 4th halfway, improved to dispute 5 out, asserted 2 out, ridden before last where slight mistake, tired and wandered run-in, kept on under pressure, won at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn hvy in Feb beating Moroval (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Black Key 3-1 (11-9) Led, headed 5th, regained lead after 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, headed and not fluent at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 21, 4 1/4l behind C'est Jersey (11-9) at Navan 2m 4f mdn sft in Jan.
Indian Monsoon (IRE) 9-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 3 out and asserted before next, pushed out run-in and stayed on well, won at Cork 2m hvy in Jan beating Veinard (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Moulin A Vent 14-1 (10-13) In rear, some slight mistakes, pushed along from 3 out in 4th, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 9l behind Death Duty (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
