led, increased advantage after 1st, reduced lead after 5th, mistake at 6th, headed 3 out, dropped to 4th 2 out, weakened after 2 out, tailed off
tracked leader, not fluent in 2nd at 5th, closed 4 out, led 3 out, headed and weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off
towards rear, 5th after 5th, improved to 2nd 2 out, led narrowly before last, ridden and kept on run-in, headed close home
in touch, a little keen, 3rd at 5th, 4th before 3 out, dropped to 6th 2 out where left 5th, soon weakened quickly, tailed off
rear, 7th after 5th, under pressure before 3 out, no impression in 7th 2 out where left moderate 6th and slightly hampered, no extra, tailed off
rear of mid-division, 6th after 5th, headway to 3rd 2 out, closed in 2nd before last, ridden and kept on well run-in to lead close home
in rear, ran freely, 8th after 5th, progress to 5th 2 out where mistake and fell
mid-division, improved to 3rd before 3 out, travelled well to lead before 2 out where jumped slightly left, headed and dropped to 3rd before last, ridden and kept on run-in, no extra close home
HONEYSUCKLE has won this for the past three seasons, the last two on her reappearance. She's still only eight and looked as good as ever last winter so is impossible to oppose. Klassical Dream is better known as a stayer these days with his last three victories coming at Grade 1 level at around 3m. However, he was winning Grade 1 races over the minimum trip in his younger days so isn't devoid of pace. Echoes In Rain was placed twice behind the selection last season but has been in excellent form on the Flat, landing a premier handicap at Galway and beaten a neck in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh. She's possibly still improving so could provide the main threat. The in-form Darver Star was only half-a-length behind the selection in the Irish Champion Hurdle in 2020.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led briefly when mistake 3 out, 3rd next and soon ridden, no impression on principals from before last, no extra, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Home By The Lee (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Darver Star (IRE) 5-4 (11-12) Led, headed after 2nd and raced 2nd, led again travelling well entering straight, soon clear, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, won at Punchestown 2m 2f gd in Oct beating Typical Thomas (11-8) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
Klassical Dream (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 8, 7l behind Hermes Baie (10-5) at Auteuil 3m 1f hvy in May.
Saldier (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and headed narrowly entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, pecked last and soon dropped to 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 7 3/4l behind State Man (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Sire Du Berlais (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Towards rear, closer in 7th after 4 out, soon pushed along and 6th early straight, no impression after 3 out, went moderate 5th at last, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Home By The Lee (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Teahupoo (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no extra entering straight, last of 6, 24 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Echoes In Rain (FR) 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division on inner, 10th 3f out, 10th and bumped 2f out, soon ridden, headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, headed near line, 2nd of 30, nk behind Waterville (8-9) at Curragh 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Honeysuckle 1-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, closer in 2nd after 4th, ridden to challenge after 2 out, led entering straight, kept on strongly run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Echoes In Rain (11-5) by 3l, 6 ran.
