waited with, mistake 5th, closed from before 3 out, 3rd before straight, challenged in 2nd 2 out, soon briefly in front, headed and no impression from before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closed from before 3 out, 2nd before straight, travelling well before 2 out where not fluent, soon switched and in front before last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
led and soon clear, reduced lead from before 3 out where mistake, soon headed and lost place, kept on again into moderate 3rd closing stages
chased leader, closed from before 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed 2 out, soon headed, 3rd at last, no extra closing stages
waited with last of the 5, closed from before 3 out, no impression under pressure in 4th from next, kept on same pace
This is invariably won by a top-class performer including ZAIDPOUR a year ago and he can complete the double. Willie Mullins has been trying him over further in his recent races and he beat Monksland over 2m4f in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace in December but had enough pace to finish runner-up to Hurricane Fly in Punchestown's Champion Hurdle in April. Stablemate So Young has also been racing over further and the pair of them will ensure there's no hanging around. Hisaabaat was an outstanding juvenile with two Grade 1's to his credit but he hasn't progressed as expected while Rory O'Moore hasn't proved himself at this level. Arnaud and Missunited get plenty of allowances but both will need to find major improvement against genuine Grade 1 performers.
Zaidpour (FR) 11-10 (11-10) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway and went 2nd after 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure but no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Bog Warrior (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
So Young (FR) 6-4 (11-6) Held up in rear, went 4th approaching 4 out and closer in 3rd 2 out, 2nd and tried to challenge when mistake last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Solwhit (10-13) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Led, headed entering straight, ridden and no chance with easy winner from 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Un Atout (11-7) at Naas 2m nh nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Arnaud (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders in poor 3rd, bad mistake 3 out, closed after next, every chance last, 2nd run-in, stayed on well closing stages without getting to winner, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Blackstairmountain (11-5) at Cork 2m hdl in Jan.
Missunited (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge 3 out, pushed along and disputed before 2 out, pecked slighty on landing 2 out and ridden in 2nd, under pressure in 3rd when mistake last, no extra run-in, 4th of 10, 6l behind Top Madam (11-3) at Down Royal 2m mrs nov hdl G3 (1) gd in Nov.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Settled 3rd, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, last of 3, 24l behind Cause Of Causes (11-10) at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
