held up towards rear, closer order 6 out, 4th approaching 2 out, 3rd before straight, kept on one pace under pressure run-in
chased leaders, closer order 6 out, moderate 5th before straight, no extra when jumped right last
chased leaders, closer order 6 out, 4th before straight, gained narrow lead last, drifted left run-in, stayed on well run-in, reduced lead but holding on close home
chased leader, closer order 6 out, prominent when pecked 2 out, led before straight, narrowly headed last, impeded and switched right run-in, rallied well, not get to winner
held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, soon no extra, bad mistake last
chased leaders early, moderate 5th at 4th, closer order 6 out, no extra from before 2 out
led, soon clear, a little slow 6 out and reduced lead, slight mistake and reminder next, headed before straight, no extra in 4th at last
SIZING EUROPE won this last year beating Rubi Light just over two lengths but faces a much stiffer task this time. Henry De Bromhead's stable star once again failed to stay 3m in the jnwine at Down Royal but very rarely gets beat at around this trip and is taken to gain his 21st victory on his 40th start. Arvika Ligeonniere is a massive threat as he's looked even better this season after his impressive victory in the Ryanair at Punchestown in April. Ruby Walsh is likely to make this a really stiff test and it will take something special to beat his mount. Kid Cassidy's victory over Sire De Grugy at Cheltenham has been well and truly boosted by the runner-up and though the remainder will need to find more none can be totally ruled out.
Arvika Ligeonniere (FR) 4-7fav (11-10) Chased leader, disputed from 2nd and led approaching 3rd, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f chs G1 (1) beating Rubi Light (11-10) by 9l, 3 ran.
Baily Green (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, improved from 5 out, 3rd next, kept on under pressure run-in without ever looking like getting to winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Benefficient (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Led until 13th, beaten when left 4th 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 37l behind Harry Topper (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Led, headed 10th (water), remained in touch, every chance when left 2nd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 20, 2 1/4l behind Johns Spirit (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Kid Cassidy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, switched left and went 3 lengths 2nd last, led 100 yards out, won going away, won at Cheltenham 2m lst chs (1) gd in Nov beating Sire De Grugy (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Rubi Light (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in 3rd early, chased leader from 3rd, mistake 7th, ridden before 2 out, no impression winner from 2 out, mistake last, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Arvika Ligeonniere (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f chs G1 (1).
Sizing Europe (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up early, mistake 4th, closer in 4th halfway, 3rd 8 out, improved to 2nd approaching 4 out, pushed along and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression winner before 2 out, kept on same pace, mistake last, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Roi Du Mee (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
