took keen hold and led from 1st, headed after 3rd, on terms before 2 out, soon led again, joined straight, headed approaching last and no impression and slight mistake, one pace and dropped to 3rd run-in
soon tracked leaders, 4th after 3rd, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, soon on terms, led approaching last, quickly asserted, stayed on well run-in, impressive
held up, last after 3rd, no impression approaching straight
mid-division early, 7th after 3rd, no extra straight and not fluent last
soon chased leaders, 5th after 3rd, one pace straight
held up, 9th after 3rd, headway from before straight, soon chased leaders and no impression, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd run-in
held up, 10th after 3rd, no impression approaching straight
soon tracked leaders, 3rd after 3rd, no extra approaching last
led early, prominent, led again after 3rd, hit 5th, joined before 2 out, soon headed and one pace straight
mid-division early, 6th after 3rd, one pace straight and slightly slow at last
held up, 8th after 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, no impression approaching straight, some headway to chase leaders when slight mistake last, kept on same pace without threatening
A cracking contest in which SAMCRO is taken to ward off the Willie Mullins battalions. Gordon Elliott's charge, unbeaten in a point and three bumpers, won by 15 lengths on his hurdling debut and by even further in a Navan Grade 3 in November. He's had a break and can see off the challenge of Sharjah. One of four entries from the champion trainer's yard, he was travelling easily when falling at the last, alongside stable companion Real Steel, in an eventful Future Champions here in December leaving another from the stable, Whiskey Sour, to come home virtually alone in that Grade 1. However, Elliott's Mengli Khan had been travelling well in front when running out at the second-last so his trainer should have a good idea of how the selection stands. Cheltenham Bumper runner-up Debuchet made an eye-catching debut over hurdles and looks a very smart prospect.
Paloma Blue (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Raced in 6th early, slight mistake 4th, 4th after 3 out, led travelling smoothly approaching last, rider soon briefly without right iron, stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec beating Impact Factor (11-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Samcro (IRE) 1-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway to lead travelling well 3 out, went clear next, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, impressive, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Jetz (11-2) by 12l, 8 ran.
Top Othe Ra (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 20 3/4l behind Getabird (11-2) at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Trainwreck (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3 out, travelling smoothly and closed from before straight where raced on outer, on terms approaching last, led and stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec beating Ben Dundee (10-10) by 3l, 13 ran.
Debuchet (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) Led and disputed, slight mistake 2nd, mistake 3 out, narrowly headed last, no extra and one pace from 100yds out, 4th of 24, 2 3/4l behind Ellie Mac (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear on inner, last 4 out, headway after next, pushed along in 4th after 2 out, ridden in 3rd at last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Next Destination (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Early Doors (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, 2nd from 4 out, led approaching 2 out where pecked, headed between last 2 and slightly impeded and switched left, no impression and slight mistake last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Mengli Khan (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Le Richebourg (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching 4th, soon closed up, disputed 2nd from 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th and no impression straight, left 2nd and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 7, 19l behind Whiskey Sour (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Real Steel (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders early, dropped to 6th and pushed along approaching 4th, improved into 4th from 3 out, left in lead from next, strongly pressed straight and narrowly headed when fell last, at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Sharjah (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, 5th approaching 4th, closed up to be prominent 3 out, soon disputed 2nd, travelling smoothly straight and slight lead when fell last, at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Whiskey Sour (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In rear, soon detached, some headway in 6th from 3 out, 4th approaching straight, soon moderate 3rd and no impression until left in lead from last, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Le Richebourg (11-7) by 19l, 7 ran.
