led after 1st and made rest, went clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, not extended
led early, headed after 1st, dropped to 3rd at 2nd, pulled up quickly before 8th
tracked leaders in 2nd, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, trailing straight
held up in 4th, adrift at 3rd, left 3rd at 8th, went 2nd after 2 out and soon ridden, no impression on easy winner, kept on one paced run-in
DOUVAN has his final tune-up before next month’s Champion Chase at Cheltenham and can extend his unbeaten record over fences. He’s already won eight Grade One contests, including one last time at Leopardstown, and is rated 18lb higher than Smashing, who is probably the one for forecast-backers. Draycott Place and Realt Mor are likely to fighting it out for the minor placings if the aforementioned run up to form.
Douvan (FR) 1-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, closed 6th, led after 2 out, asserted approaching last, pushed out briefly run-in, stayed on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Sizing John (11-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Smashing (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Led, 5-length advantage early, reduced lead and slight mistake 5th, disputed 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, dist behind Sizing John (11-8) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Draycott Place (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, slight mistake 5th, joined and pushed along before straight, headed from 2 out, soon slightly impeded and switched right, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Charlie Stout (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Realt Mor (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th 4 out, improved into 4th after 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Inch Rise (11-1) by 4 3/4l, 14 ran.
