mid-division, raced keenly, went prominent 6th, pressed leader going well home turn, led before 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, stayed on resolutely from last, always doing enough to assert close home
tracked leaders, lost place and mistake 4 out, soon ridden and lost touch, pulled up after 3 out
led, headed and tracked leader 5th, ridden after 3 out and gradually lost place, well held from 2 out
mid-division, ridden home turn, stayed on well from before last, never on terms with front pair
prominent, led 5th, pressed and ridden home turn, weakened before last
in rear, ridden 3 out, beaten 2 out, never in contention
towards rear, pushed along and headway into 4th home turn, ridden to chase front pair after 2 out, kept on but no extra run-in
tracked leaders, went into 3rd 4 out, pushed along home turn, ridden before 2 out, strongly pressed leader 2 out, kept on well, no extra closing stages
This is the acid test for Buzz following his win in a Grade 2 here four weeks ago. That form has been franked and he should handle the step up to 3m but is up against the cream of the staying hurdle ranks. Stablemate Champ is a fascinating rival back over hurdles but he’s been hard to train in recent years. PAISLEY PARK won this for the second time 12 months ago, overhauling Thyme Hill in the shadow of the post. Outpaced on his reappearance at Wetherby, he was giving weight to Thomas Darby and On The Blind Side when only third in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury next time and that run should have put him spot-on for this. Thyme Hill beat several of these in the Stayers Hurdle at Aintree in April and an outing at Auteuil should have blown away a few cobwebs so he looks a threat to all while Ronald Pump’s Irish form stands up to scrutiny.
Champ (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Towards rear on inside, slow and pecked 1st, not fluent 3rd, slow 4th, jumped left and hit brush upright 5th, mistake 6th, pulled up before 7th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Lisnagar Oscar (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 29 1/4l behind Thomas Darby (11-0) at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov.
On The Blind Side (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led until 1st, chased leader, challenged 8th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Thomas Darby (11-0) at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov.
Paisley Park (IRE) 9-5fav (11-6) Shied away left, slowly away and given reminder start, led 1st, not fluent and headed 3 out, led before next, driven and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 10 3/4l behind Thomas Darby (11-0) at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov.
Ronald Pump 22-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 2nd, not fluent at 4th, took closer order halfway, challenged 4 out, led narrowly before 3 out where not fluent, headed and no impression on winner before 2 out, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Third Wind 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 5th, struggling after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, mistake 8th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied 2 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov beating On The Blind Side (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Thyme Hill 3-1 (10-10) Mid-division, never a threat, 5th of 7, dist behind Galop Marin (10-10) at Auteuil 3m gs in Nov.
Buzz (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Chased leader, smooth headway going easily 2 out, led before last, ran on well run in, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gd in Nov beating Song For Someone (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
