chased leader. 2nd halfway, challenged 3 out, led entering straight, ridden 2 out, soon disputed, headed before last, no impression on winner and kept on same pace
held up, 5th halfway, closer entering straight, 3rd travelling well before 2 out, led before last, soon asserted, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in, comfortably
led, pressed 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra before 2 out, weakened and tailed off
chased leaders, slight mistakes 4th and 7th, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th from last
held up, 6th halfway, ridden before 2 out, under pressure in 5th before last, kept on same pace into 4th at last
always towards rear, slight mistake 3rd and mistake 5th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress to challenge entering straight, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, disputed briefly after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
ARCTIC FIRE is the obvious form pick in a race lacking in top-tier depth. Willie Mullins' charge, runner-up to stable companion Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle, was in the lead when falling at the last in the Aintree Hurdle over this trip before again chasing home Faugheen at Punchestown. He made a satisfactory reappearance at Navan and is impossible to oppose. Alpha Des Obeaux has done very well against top opposition and has a Grade 2 to his credit. He could have been involved in the finish of the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle over three miles at Aintree but for a last flight fall and should go well. The selection's unbeaten stable companion Clondaw Court bids to extend his unbeaten record to six. He's obviously smart though he's never contested a graded race and this is a big step-up. Gwencily Berbas may well turn out to be one of the best four-year-old novices around having already won at Grade 2 and 3 level. This is his first attempt at this trip but the indications are that he will be suited.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 9-2fav (11-10) Prominent, mainly 2nd, pushed along from 3 out, no impression straight, one pace,, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Arctic Fire (GER) 4-6fav (11-5) Walked with rest of field for over ten seconds after start, raced in 3rd at slow pace early, ridden from 2 out, 2nd at last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Monksland (11-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Clondaw Court (IRE) 1-2fav (11-10) Made all, clear early, reduced advantage 3rd, clear again form 5th, reduced advantage but travelling well 2 out, shaken up briefly run-in, easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Nov beating Mireya (10-13) by 4l, 7 ran.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 9-10fav (11-0) Led, went on from 4th, reduced lead from 7th, not fluent 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, bad mistake 2 out, soon pressed and ridden, stayed on well run-in to assert closing stages, won at Naas 2m 4f Yielding in Nov beating Cliffside Park (10-10) by 3l, 5 ran.
Taglietelle 5-4fav (9-10) Dwelt, mid-division, 7th halfway, progress over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov beating Eye Of The Tiger (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up 4th, not fluent 4th and 3 out, no impression and driven after 2 out, no extra, 4th of 5, 26 3/4l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 6-5fav (11-8) Disputed lead early, left in front at 1st and made rest, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Petite Parisienne (11-3) by 8l, 4 ran.
