THURLES 14:45

All 4 ran. Fences: 14.

Time: 5m 20.4s Closing Sectional: (3.83f): 54.1s (113.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 107%, Betfair SP 100.7%

A small but select field for the latest renewal of this Grade 2 but it proved to be something of an anticlimax, the pair at the head of the market locked together when Champagne Fever came down at the last; the pace seemed sound and the time compares very favourably with the Grade 2 mares novice chase later on the card.

DON COSSACK (GER) defied a Grade 1 penalty to land his fourth win on the spin, clearly a much improved performer this term, and may well have won even if his main market rival had stood up, staying on and yet to be asked for maximum effort when left well clear at the last; close up, not fluent second, upsides 3 out, not fluent next, yet to be asked for effort when left clear last, pushed out; has only once finished out of the first 2 when completing over fences and heads to the Ryanair with obvious claims.

TEXAS JACK (IRE) proved most disappointing in his bid to win this race for the second year in a row, beaten a long way out; waited with, lost touch early final circuit, ridden when bad mistake 4 out, looked after once chance had gone, keeping on and about to take remote second when left in that position at last; type to bounce back quickly.

SMOKEY JOE JOE (IRE) would have run about as well as could have been expected had he stood up at the last; dropped out, went third 4 out, left second but about to lose that spot when fell last.

CHAMPAGNE FEVER (IRE) back down in trip, confirmed himself a top-class performer but may have had to settle for second, under pressure and about to be headed when tipping up at the last; made running, jumped well in main, joined 3 out, led again next, driven soon after, joined when fell last; his jumping isn't a cause for concern and, given his excellent record at Cheltenham, won't be one to dismiss lightly in the Queen Mother, although it is hard to see him troubling an on-song Sprinter Sacre.