LEOPARDSTOWN 14:20

Non Runners: A PLUS TARD (FR). Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 24.8s Closing Sectional: (4.4f): 66.7s (105.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.2%

The late defection of A Plus Tard and continued underperformance of the 2021 winner Gavlin meant this was a notch below the standard normally required to win this staying chase highlight of the Christmas period in Ireland, Conflated not needing to improve on his Irish Gold Cup form to land a second C&D Grade 1 success; the gallop was a stop-start one, the tempo slowing markedly a circuit out before Conflated pressed on down the back, Kennedy stacking them up again before kicking off the home turn.

CONFLATED (IRE) showed the benefit of his reappearance run as he added to his Irish Gold Cup success here in similar fashion, the emphasis on speed certainly playing to his strengths and, whilst it's perhaps not hard to pick holes in the overall form, he's clearly matured with age, a much more reliable proposition now than he'd been as a novice; close up, slow first (jumped well otherwise), travelled smoothly, went on early final circuit, reduced advantage 5 out, quickened clear home turn, won readily.

KEMBOY (FR) ran well to make the frame in this contest for the fifth year in succession (won on first attempt in 2018), better placed than most but again unable to live with the winner from the home turn, backing up the notion that he'll continue to find 1 or 2 too good at this level nowadays; made running, headed early final circuit, mistake twelfth, close up 5 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, no match for winner.

FURY ROAD (IRE) won the Grade 1 novice chase over this trip at last year's meeting and proved better than ever, tapped for toe when the pace lifted and probably just a step or 2 below the required level to win one of these; waited with, took closer order early final circuit, ridden 3 out, plugged on.

FRANCO DE PORT (FR) returned to form back at 3m and would have benefited from a stronger gallop, taking a long time to settle and merely closing up again late on having been flat out turning in; off pace, outpaced 3 out, rallied from last.

FRENCH DYNAMITE (FR) wasn't disgraced upped in grade but could do with brushing up his jumping isf he's to make more of an impact at this level, probably not so strong a stayer as several of these, either; mid-field, took keen hold, not always fluent, every chance 2 out, weakened from last.

GALVIN (IRE) who was bidding to win this for the second year running, again ran below form, unable to produce his customary strong finish in a race that was again not really run to suit, connections now surely more inclined to aim him at the Grand National over the Gold Cup; handy, driven 3 out, beaten soon after next, not persevered with once held.

ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (IRE) tackling 3m for the first time, looked rusty after 8 months off; held up, jumped none too fluently, left behind after 3 out.