A disappointing turnout numerically and all depends on whether MIKAEL D'HAGUENET is over whatever ailed him here at the end of December. Willie Mullins' brilliant triple Grade 1-winning hurdler looked like beating Jessies Dream and Realt Dubh on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse in the middle of December when coming a cropper at the last. Sent on a recovery mission here a fortnight later, he jumped deliberately and never got going in the race won by Realt Dubh. Potential punters are taking a chance that he's back to his best which is hopefully the case. Bostons Angel was well behind at Fairyhouse though he looked much improved when landing yet another Grade 1, this time over three miles on this track when Western Charmer was just behind in third. Magnanimity beat Jessies Dream narrowly in a three-runner event here a month ago though he's very closely matched with Sam Adams on a line through Arabella Boy, a recent runner-up to both.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, headway on inner to lead briefly entering straight, narrowly headed before last, regained lead early run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec beating Quito De La Roque (11-10) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Magnanimity (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Led, slow at 1st and 2nd, soon headed, led again before 5th, strongly pressed and driven along after 2 out, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan beating Jessies Dream (11-12) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Mikael D'haguenet (FR) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd before halfway, dropped to 5th when slight mistake 4 out, 4th and driven along 2 out, 6th and one pace straight, left moderate 5th from last, 5th of 8, 11l behind Realt Dubh (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Sam Adams (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge approacing 2 out where led, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Jan beating Arabella Boy (11-12) by 6l, 15 ran.
Western Charmer (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 3rd, remained prominent, 2nd and driven along 3 out, rallied under pressure next, no extra when left moderate 2nd from last, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Quito De La Roque (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.
