held up, headway 3 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened after 2 out
led to 2nd, remained handy until approaching 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off approaching 3 out
mid-division, pushed along 5th, never dangerous
took keen hold, in touch, settled in mid-division after 2nd, taken right to inside and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 5th, led going well approaching last, ran on well, readily
mid-division, chased leaders from 3rd, challenged from 3 out until after 2 out
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, no progress from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, every chance from 3 out until after 2 out, one pace flat
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway after 3rd, took narrow lead 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat
prominent, led approaching 5th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 2nd to approaching 5th, led again briefly before 3 out, one pace and no impression after 2 out
held up, switched left after 3 out, good headway after 2 out, ran on well flat, not trouble winner
mistake 5th, always in rear
held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, ran on flat, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, no extra flat
chased leaders until lost place after 4th, soon behind, tailed off
Nonrunner
Power Elite is taken to come out on top over Don't Be Shy, Howle Hill, Admiral, Mighty Man and Rooster Booster in a competitive renewal. Noel Meade has always held Power Elite in high regard, and in the belief that he is capable of landing a big prize over hurdles, has been patient with him over the obstacles. The son of Linamix was noted making good late headway when fifth in last season's Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury and would have been strongly fancied had he lined up in the Triumph Hurdle. As it was, his astute trainer decided to put him back under wraps to strengthen up, and the policy has already begun to reap dividends, as he came back with a bang on the Flat to score at Navan before finishing a fine third in Listed company at Leopardstown less than a fortnight ago. That will have tuned him up nicely, and as connections reckon that he could be Champion Hurdle class this term, today's prize, in which five-year-olds have a great record, is very much there for the taking. French import Don't Be Shy is well thought of by Martin Pipe and could be anything, while Howle Hill ran a blinder at Chepstow when only just failing to catch Lacdoudal. Throw in the likes of the reappearing Mighty Man and former Champion Hurdler Rooster Booster and you have the makings of a fascinating contest from which plenty of winners will emerge. With Admiral in the line up to ensure a healthy pace, we return to Power Elite who can come late and storm up the hill to victory.
Rooster Booster 7-4jt-fav (11-8) Soon chasing leader, led 2 out, pushed clear flat, won at Huntingdon 2m hdl (B) gf in Oct beating Genghis (11-8) by 5l, 4 ran.
Westender (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 6th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 14l behind Mr Cool (10-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gs in May.
Yes Sir (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, blundered badly 4th, soon behind, 6th of 8, well behind Racing Demon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) gs.
Self Defense 7-2fav (11-10) In touch, driven along from 5th, badly outpaced 3 out, stayed on to challenge 2 out, kept on but not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Rooster Booster (11-10) at Sandown 2m hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Power Elite (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hit 1st, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 25, 6l behind Essex (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Lingo (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Held up behind leading pair, took closer order 3 out, led approaching last, soon ridden, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Jan '04 beating Garde Champetre (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Don't Be Shy (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 sft in May beating Kiko (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mighty Man (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, held on well towards finish, won at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr beating Dusky Warbler (11-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Howle Hill (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) In touch, headway approaching 7th, chased winner from 2 out, hard ridden and ran on flat, 2nd of 15, nk behind Lacdoudal (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) sft in Oct.
Dalaram (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 7th, mistake 4 out, challenged next, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 19l behind Cyborg De Sou (10-7) at Perth 2m nov chs (D) gd in Sept.
Phar Bleu (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, chased clear leader 5th, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Faasel (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr.
Fontanesi (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Always in rear, 5th of 9, 20l behind Tamango (11-9) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Oct.
Fait Le Jojo (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led until headed 6th, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, no extra approching last, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Caracciola (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Oct.
Tramantano 16-1 (10-12) Held up last, headway 4 out, disputed lead 2 out, led last, challenged last, ran on strongly under pressure, just held on, won at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (A) gs in Nov '03 beating Sporazene (11-8) by a nk, 8 ran.
Darrias (GER) 7-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ran on well under pressure from last, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Royal Shakespeare (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) gd.
Borora 10-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, stayed on from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 11, 14l behind Cantgeton (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (E) gd in Oct.
Adamant Approach (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 13th approaching 3 out, 6th after 2 out, 4th and stayed on from last, 4th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Heronstown (9-13) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 gd in Oct.
Handy Money 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hit 4th, headway 8th, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 18, 24l behind Nonantais (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Apr.
Eye Candy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in 7th, headway into 4th after 3 out, saddled slipped after 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Tipperary 2m 4yo hdl frm in May beating Strides of Fire (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Admiral (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (B) gs in Oct beating Zalda (10-1) by 4l, 12 ran.
Fenix (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th before halfway, no extra after 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Stutter (10-2) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr, 25 ran.
