last pair, modest 5th before 2 out, never on terms, mistake last
made all, travelling strongly when joined between last two, quickened right away flat, impressive
chased winner until 4 out, chased leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, driven and outpaced between last two, well held when went right last
raced keenly tracking leading pair, 2nd 4 out, upsides between last two, easily outpaced flat
held up in last trio, mistake 3 out, never able to get on terms, ridden and readily outpaced before 2 out
tracked leading trio, ridden and readily outpaced before 2 out
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off 3 out
Wonderful to see the immensely exciting FAUGHEEN returned to action. The Germany gelding is unbeaten in six starts under Rules and a point-to-point and could not have impressed more when claiming Festival successes at both Cheltenham and Punchestown. If Champion Hurdle dreams are to be harboured, he'll need to handle this opposition with a degree of comfort and is taken to maintain his flawless record. Blue Fashion also has six runs under his belt and is expected to rate highly for Nicky Henderson this term, although his handler has made it abundantly clear that he'll come into his own when sent chasing. Keep an eye on him eye here all the same, although the main threat to the potential Irish star looks to be Paul Nicholls' County Hurdle winner, Lac Fontana.
Ballyglasheen (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, last after 4 out, jumped left and well beaten 3 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Tiger Roll (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Faugheen (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Made all, went clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Apr beating Valseur Lido (11-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Lac Fontana (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and dropped to 4th after 3 out, no impression early straight, kept on one pace, last of 4, 13l behind Vautour (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in May.
Blue Fashion (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, keen early, effort 3 out, every chance when hard ridden approaching last, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 2l behind More Of That (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov '13.
First Avenue 20-1 (11-11) Held up behind, steady headway 4 out, challenged going well 2 out, led last, clear flat, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Jun beating Flemenson (11-11) by 12l, 13 ran.
Hint Of Mint 9-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, slightly outpaced before 2 out, keeping on when hampered last, no impression flat, 5th of 9, 8l behind Purple Bay (10-11) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs.
Houseparty 20-1 (10-4) Led, headed 3rd, ridden 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by L Frank Baum (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy, 9 ran.
