Tracked leaders on outer in 3rd, headway to lead at halfway and soon went clear, travelling well and reduced advantage entering straight, ridden and went clear again 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong op 7/1 tchd 15/2
Disputed lead, headed at halfway, ridden in 2nd 3f out, no impression on winner and dropped to 3rd over 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong op 9/4 tchd 2/1
Held up in touch in 5th, headway into 3rd 5f out, travelling well in 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, went moderate 2nd over 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra op 7/2
Eskylane (11/10), Gabynako (7/4), Fais Ton Chemin (9/4), Favori De Champdou (11/4), Keskonrisk (6/1), Callela (25/1), Jaipore (66/1)
Quite an interesting race despite the smallish field. Willie Mullins had eight entered at the five-day stage, so the fact that he relies on FAIS TON CHEMIN is significant, and he gets the nod over Favori de Champdou, who appears the pick of three from the in-form Gordon Elliott operation. Gabynako was an expensive purchase, and shaped well when second in a point in November, so can't be ignored.