led, not fluent at 4th, ridden and headed before 3 out, dropped to 5th and left moderate 4th 2 out, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, left moderate 5th and mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, dropped to 5th and niggled along 8th, pushed along in 5th 3 out, left 4th 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home
in touch in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway into 3rd 4 out, improved to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd close home
in touch in rear, headway into 3rd 4 out, improved to dispute lead before next, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, improved to lead before 3 out, ridden 3 out, headed before next, 3rd and no extra when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
King Alex completed a hat-trick over hurdles in the autumn and started a short-priced favourite for his chasing bow at Fairyhouse in January but weakened very quickly from two out. That didn't look his form and the race conditions are in his favour. Davy Fitzgerald has his horses in good form and Hesamanofhisword ran well at Leopardstown after a long break despite racing over a trip too short. SOUTHERNER is lightly-raced for his age and the dual hurdles winner had few problems making a successful chasing debut at Clonmel a couple of weeks ago. This is a better race but he can still improve and gets the nod to follow up. The Gunner Murphy wasn't beaten far behind the very smart Ronald Pump when last seen over hurdles almost two years ago but took a long time to warm up over fences and has a long absence to overcome. Stansfield won over 2m here last month and ran well in a better race at Leopardstown last time so is another to consider.
The Echo Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Led, jumped right, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Fils D'oudairies (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Diamond Turf (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, slightly bumped with rival 2nd, not fluent 4th, 7th before 5th where not fluent, slightly impeded 6th, soon no impression, slight mistake 4 out and no extra, 7th of 10, dist behind Dinny Lacey (11-5) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
The Gunner Murphy (IRE) 10-3fav (11-8) Settled behind leaders, 3rd and mistake at 7th, disputed next, left in lead 3 out, joined before straight, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Tokyo Getaway (11-0) at Clonmel 2m 7f hvy in Feb.
Stansfield (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, slight mistake 5th, closer in 5th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Steer Clear (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Mar.
Samurai Cracker (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Waited with, 10th after 8th, closer in 7th 4 out, chased leaders and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Young Dev (11-2) at Navan 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Hesamanofhisword (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, disputing 2nd halfway, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner before last where slight mistake, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Steer Clear (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Mar.
Southerner (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, 11th from halfway, slightly hampered 3 out, soon good progress to track leaders, improved to dispute lead from 2 out and soon led, kept on well to extend advantage run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Brawler (12-0) by 6l, 13 ran.
Agent Boru (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, moderate 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 7, 28 1/2l behind Home By The Lee (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
King Alex (FR) 5-4fav (11-3) Led, mistake and headed 7th, improved to lead again 3 out, soon ridden and headed entering straight, dropped to 4th 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Jan.
