made all, increased advantage at 2nd, clear at 3rd where not fluent, jumped slightly left 2 out, mistake last, unchallenged
towards rear, moderate 3rd at 2nd, moderate 2nd before 5 out, no impression on easy winner, one paced, tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 1st, slight mistake in clear 2nd at 2nd, moderate 2nd at 3rd where slow jump, no impression on clear leader at 6th where slow jump, pulled up before 5 out
in touch, slight mistake at 1st, moderate 4th at 2nd, moderate 3rd before 5 out, jumped slightly left 2 out, no impression, tailed off
rear, moderate 5th at 2nd, mistake at 3rd, moderate 4th before 5 out, not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out and weakened in moderate 4th, never a factor, tailed off
FLAME BEARER had a brilliant novice hurdle campaign with two Grade 2 victories and a second to State Man in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He was expected to make a successful chasing debut at Naas after transferring to Willie Mullins but weakened quickly over that 2m4f. He has to be given another chance while another smart hurdler, Grade 3 winner Highland Charge, got tired very quickly on his chasing bow here and can do better. Noel Meade's charge had Slip Of The Tongue just over two lengths behind over timber at Naas in March and the latter has failed to fire in two starts over fences. The remaining pair look to have too much to do.
Flame Bearer (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Led, not fluent 5th, headed briefly 7th, led again from next, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out and ridden, no impression on winner at last, tired and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 14 1/2l behind Journey With Me (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Francin (FR) 80-1 (11-2) Towards rear, left 3rd and badly hampered at 4th, soon detached, not fluent in moderate 3rd at 6th, no impression 2 out, one paced, 3rd of 5, 26 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-8) at Naas 2m sft in Jan.
Highland Charge (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leader, jumped high 2nd, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression on leader after 3 out, moderate 3rd when slow last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 25l behind El Fabiolo (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Slip Of The Tongue (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) In rear, fell 3rd, at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Themanintheboots (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Towards rear, improved to 10th before 2 out, no extra before last, 9th of 25, dist behind Hunters Yarn (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Jan.
