tracked leaders, took keen hold, 4th from 3rd, 3rd at 6th, on terms before straight, still every chance when fell 2 out
close up, soon 2nd, slightly slow 1st and pushed along briefly, not fluent 3rd, led after 4th, ridden along and joined before straight, soon headed, 3rd and left 2nd from 2 out, dropped to 3rd again run-in
tracked leaders, took keen hold, 3rd from 3rd, 2nd at 6th, closed up 3 out, on terms before straight, left clear from 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
soon led, jumped left, headed after 4th, dropped to 4th at 6th, soon last and behind
in rear, pushed along at stages, detached from 5th, not fluent 6th, soon closed, moderate 4th when not fluent 3 out, left 3rd from 2 out, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner run-in
ABBYSSIAL won four from five and fell in the other, the Triumph Hurdle, after arriving from France but disappointed when sent back to Auteuil for a Grade 1 in June. But he had Kitten Rock 10 lengths behind in the Champion Four Year Old at Punchestown, though the latter has made huge strides subsequently and is unbeaten in two Grade 3s and a Listed event - Willie Mullins' charge is taken to come out on top again. Tiger Roll, the current Triumph Hurdle title holder, was a long way behind Abbyssial at Punchestown though his Cheltenham victory had taken its toll and he should now be approaching his peak. The four-year-old Thunder Zone landed a minor event at Fairyhouse in December but doesn't appear to have been at his best in two subsequent starts while Sailors Warn needs to find something extra.
Abbyssial (IRE) Evensfav (10-7) 6th of 9, 17l behind Roll On Has (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 4yo hdl Grd 1 sft in Jun.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Held up in last, slight mistake 1st, reminder 4th, ridden before 2 out, went moderate 4th entering straight, soon no impression, 4th of 6, 19l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) in Jan.
Kitten Rock (FR) 4-7fav (11-4) Held up, ran freely early, 4th halfway, good progress on inner to lead entering straight, pressed 2 out, ridden before last where joined, kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) sft in Jan beating Glens Melody (10-13) by 4l, 6 ran.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, soon 7th, 8th after 6th, dropped behind 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Rory O'Moore (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcap hdle Grd C hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
Thunder Zone 5-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th early, improved to chase leader from 2nd, slight mistake 4th, 2nd halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Dicosimo (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl in Jan.
