tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, fell 3rd
held up, 4th from 3rd, no extra in rear and eased straight, virtually pulled up run-in
led, hit 1st, slight mistake 6th and joined, left in lead again from next, bad mistake 8th and joined, headed before 2 out, 4th before straight, no extra from before last
in rear, not fluent 1st, hampered 3rd, closer in 3rd before straight, soon no impression, went 2nd run-in, joined for that position on line
tracked leader, slight mistake 3rd, on terms 6th, bad mistake 7th and headed, got on terms again before 2 out, soon under pressure and headed, no impression straight, dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on for a share of 2nd on line
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, on terms 8th, led travelling smoothly before straight, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, easily
VAUTOUR has run six times for Willie Mullins and won the lot, including three Grade 1 novice hurdles. He made a very impressive chasing debut at Navan where he made all and jumped like an old hand to beat the more experienced Clarcam and barring accidents should continue his winning ways. The runner-up could well occupy the same spot again as he's only a four-year-old and receives 11lb from all of his rivals. Chancol is looking very smart and stayed on very strongly to beat Un Beau Roman in a Punchestown Grade 2 but Real Steel is likely to be better suited by further. Ted Veale beat Un Beau Roman at Roscommon so there looks little between him and Chancol, who just holds the progressive Mr Fiftyone on their 1-2 at Punchestown.
Chancol (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mainly 3rd, left 2nd at 6th, mistake next, closed on leader 3 out, jumped left and ridden 2 out, stayed on to challenge run-in, led close home, won at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Un Beau Roman (11-4) by 3l, 6 ran.
Mr Fiftyone (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, improved into moderate 2nd 4 out, left in lead next, ridden run-in and kept on well, won at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs sft in Nov beating Smokey Joe Joe (11-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Real Steel (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led and jumped left throughout, jumped badly left 5th and headed, jumped badly left again 6th, regained lead 5 out, ridden entering straight, headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Valseur Lido (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Nov.
Ted Veale (IRE) Evensfav (11-1) Ran 5th, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, under pressure and kept on well to lead final 100 yards, won at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) gd in Sep beating Un Beau Roman (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Vautour (FR) 2-11fav (11-12) Made all, asserted after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 1f beg chs sft in Nov beating Clarcam (11-0) by 8l, 16 ran.
Clarcam (FR) 10-11fav (10-3) Disputed lead, headed after 3rd, improved to regain lead travelling well 3 out, went clear from next, shaken up briefly run-in and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 1f nov chs beating Sizing Codelco (10-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
