chased clear leader in rear, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 4 out and closer next, under pressure and no impression entering straight, no extra
chased clear leader in 4th, closer 3 out, progress to dispute when jumped left 2 out, ridden to lead before last where mistake, kept on well run-in
chased clear leader in 3rd, closer in 4th 3 out, no extra from next, slight mistake last
chased clear leader in 2nd, mistakes, closer 3 out, ridden in 3rd early straight and no impression before last, went 2nd run-in and kept on one pace under pressure
led, slight mistake 2nd and clear before next, extended lead after 4th, jumped left 6th, reduced advantage 3 out, joined next and headed approaching last, no impression in 3rd run-in
Zaidpour won this last year and though he hasn't managed to score subsequently he's been up against the very best and this is his ideal trip. With the exception of the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, where a last-flight error didn't help, JEZKI has done everything right. He reversed the form with his Festival conqueror Champagne Fever in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown and showed he was as good as ever on his reappearance at Down Royal. Rule The World ran a superb race behind The New One in the Neptune at Cheltenham but something went amiss in the selection's race at Punchestown and he had to be pulled up. He reappeared with a very nice pipe-opener at Naas and more is expected of him this season. Dedigout had looked a smart chaser before reverting to hurdles and landing a Grade 2 at Navan, his fifth victory from six starts over timber. Diakali may be the stable second string but the four-year-old is a tremendous prospect with two Grade 1s already to his credit.
Dedigout (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Settled towards rear, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out to challenge last, ridden to lead run-in and kept on well, won at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) in Nov beating Mala Beach (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 2-9fav (11-10) Made all, slow early pace, pushed out to assert run-in, kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Nov beating Caid Du Berlais (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rule The World 6-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along to go 2nd approaching last, ridden to lead run-in and driven out to assert closing stages, won at Naas 2m 4f hdl in Oct beating King Shabra (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zaidpour (FR) 22-1 (10-10) 3rd of 14, 17l behind Gemix (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 3m 1f hdl G1 (1) hvy in Jun.
Diakali (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Made all, challenged before 2 out, pushed out before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hdl Grade 3 (1) in Nov beating Mr Fiftyone (10-13) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
