Kempes, runner-up to Hurricane Fly in the 2009 Champion Novices' Hurdle, won Leopardstown's Hennessy Gold Cup in February before pulling up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. Whether he still has the pace for this is debatable but that remark could also apply to Psycho, who hasn't raced over hurdles or the minimum trip for a very long time. Free World is yet another classy chaser reverting to hurdles though he's had 17 runs since last facing timber so a chance is taken with NEW PHASE, who will be fit enough after a run on the Flat last month and won this last year.
Hide The Evidence (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led and soon clear, mistake 3rd and reduced advantage, slow 4th, headed after 4 out, no extra and weakened early straight, 10th of 12, 47l behind The Real Article (11-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl gd in Jun.
New Phase (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, no extra approaching 2 out, weakened, eased when beaten in straight, tailed off, 22nd of 26, well behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Free World (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Mid-division, moderate 7th approaching 4 out, struggling when hampered next, soon pulled up, in a race won by King High (9-11) at Cork 2m hcp chs in Oct, 9 ran.
Island Wood (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden along in rear after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Out Now (11-6) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs sft.
Kempes (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Settled in rear, in touch approaching 4 out, pushed along and no impression next, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Follow The Plan (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gd in May, 8 ran.
Psycho (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, ridden to go 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Tranquil Sea (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft.
Serpentaria 25-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, moderate 8th 6 out, no impression from 4 out, 7th of 15, well behind Rubert (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs sft.
