dwelt and rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra over 1f out
held up behind leaders, moderate 6th halfway, ridden into 5th and no impression 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up towards rear early, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out
held up, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, challenged 3f out, ridden and disputed 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong
led, strongly pressed 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression on leaders 3f out, kept on again inside final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 3f out, disputed travelling well 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
Willie Mullins won this with the odds-on Blackstairmountain in 2012 and Rio Treasure will be fancied to follow suit. A dual bumper winner, he has the scope to go on to much better things when sent hurdling and should get into the frame though this looks ideal for HISAABAAT. Dermot Weld's charge has been extremely disappointing since his victory in the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown in 2012, his last victory, but he's been racing at a very much higher level and this can provide a confidence-booster. Mighty Whitey is better over fences these days while The Scourge, though a winner over 7f on fast ground, has shown very little since tackling hurdles.
Armed Guard (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, went 8th 1f out, no impression, never a factor, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Coach Bombay (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in May.
The Scourge (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 13th early and soon pushed along, no extra from under 2f out, 23rd of 24, 41l behind Shukhov (8-9) at Curragh 1m App hcp in Oct.
Arabic Scientist (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra from 2f out, 8th of 11, 27l behind Awesome Star (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f amat mdn stks gf in Jun.
Glasson Lad (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 10th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened, 10th of 11, 37l behind Asian Wing (9-1) at Dundalk 2m hcp 47-65 pol in Mar.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Chased clear leader, 4th halfway, ridden 6f out and soon rear, no extra, eased straight, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Face Value (8-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp sft in May.
Mighty Whitey (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Towards rear, 5th halfway, no impression approaching straight, no extra, 5th of 6, 24l behind Windsor Park (11-9) at Galway 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) gd in Oct.
Verney Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) In rear, went 12th before straight, kept on same pace,, 10th of 16, 27l behind St Stephens Green (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m NH flat gf in Jun.
Rio Treasure (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Held up behind leaders in 3rd, ridden into 2nd over 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Stone Hard (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m NH flat in Jan.
