always prominent, in front when mistake 2 out, headed before last, regained lead run-in and stayed on well, all out
chased leaders, 7th approaching 3 out, no impression under pressure approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening
attempted to make all, a bit awkward 1st, headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd and struggling before last, rallied well run-in but not quite get back up
waited with early, good headway to track leaders approaching 5th, slight peck 3 out, soon no impression
waited with, 9th approaching 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace approaching straight
prominent, no impression under pressure in 4th from 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, slightly slow next, no extra 3 out
waited with in mid-division, improved to track leaders from 3 out, challenged and led before last where not as quick as winner, headed, rallied but not quite get back up
MINSK is currently ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle without having had a run over timber. The very easy winner of the Irish Cesarewitch for John Oxx, he's rated 106 on the Flat and there'll be some long faces if he's beaten here. Burrenbridge Lodge sets the standard of those with experience as he's already won three times over hurdles and has been placed in graded company. Celebrity Sevi, rated 101 on the level, made his hurdling debut in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and ran well enough to suggest he can be a force over timber. Bat Masterson found some improvement to see off Midnight Oil at Naas though the latter was making his debut and has a very good chance of reversing the form. His stablemate Loch Ard ran just four times on the Flat and looks one for the future.
Burrenbridge Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th 2 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression from before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 7l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs.
Arnaud (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Waited with 4th of the 5 at ordinary pace, 3rd and niggled along 3 out, jumped left and slight mistake 2 out, no impression in 4th and kept on same pace from last, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Burrenbridge Lodge (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl sft in Jan.
Bat Masterson (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Led, headed before 4th, led again from 3 out, pressed approaching last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft beating Midnight Oil (10-13) by 5l, 24 ran.
Celebrity Sevi (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in rear, in touch 2 out, no impression approaching last, 6th of 8, 7l behind His Excellency (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Discoteca 10-1 (10-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along in 4th before 2 out, no extra early straight, 5th of 7, 21l behind Ut De Sivola (10-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) in Jan.
Loch Ard (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, no impression under pressure in 4th from over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Fred Fenster (9-5) at Cork 1m 3yo mdn sft in Oct (flat).
Midnight Oil 13-8fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, good headway to go 2nd after 2 out, soon tried to challenge, no extra run-in and just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 24, 5l behind Bat Masterson (10-13) at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft.
Military Bowl (USA) 50-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway to lead briefly 4 out, headed next and soon weakened, 20th of 24, 46l behind Bat Masterson (10-13) at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft.
Minsk (IRE) 4-1fav (8-9) Settled in mid-division, 11th halfway, good headway into 4th early straight, smooth progress to lead 1f out, stretched clear final furlong, very easily, won at Curragh 2m hcp sft in Oct beating Cry For The Moon (9-3) by 6l, 19 ran (flat).
Pur Style (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, no extra after 2 out, weakened, 7th of 8, 19l behind His Excellency (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
