led, slight mistake 5th, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and pressed when slight mistake 2 out, soon narrowly headed, disputed again last, led run-in and kept on well under pressure
held up in rear, closer in 4th entering straight, ridden 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, dropped to rear 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon narrow lead, joined and disputed last, headed run-in and kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened
held up, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd before 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders last, kept on same pace
Some top-class horses have won this in the past. Mick Jazz has a big penalty for his Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown over Christmas, the race in which Faugheen pulled up. He was behind the latter in the Irish Champion Hurdle back there last time, when Identity Thief was beaten a long way, and though expected to go really well the concession of 18lb to LAGOSTOVEGAS may prove beyond him. Willie Mullins' charge started to improve last summer both on the Flat and over timber. He was placed in the Cesarewitch and a Listed contest at Naas and can make enough progress to make a successful return to hurdling. His stable companion Abbyssial looked a tremendous prospect when landing a Grade 1 at Punchestown as a four-year-old but injuries have curtailed his career and he hasn't run since Cheltenham in 2015. Forge Meadow was narrowly beaten at this level at Naas last month but will need to step-up again.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Led, slight mistake 4th, pressed 2 out, soon ridden, joined and disputed run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Sandsend (10-13) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Abbyssial (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, not always fluent, mistake 3rd and again 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, never a threat, last of 16, dist behind Cole Harden (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Arcenfete (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, no extra 2 out, weakened and eased before last, last of 7, dist behind Sandsend (10-13) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Identity Thief (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slow jump 2nd, slight mistake 5th, pushed along from 2 out, no impression straight, 6th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Supasundae (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
On The Go Again (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Soon mid-division, effort from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 9th of 28, 12 3/4l behind Off You Go (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Lagostovegas (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Soon raced in 3rd, closed travelling smoothly straight towards outer, ridden to lead from 1f out, soon joined, headed inside final furlong, no extra and one pace closing stages, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Tocco D'amore (8-9) at Naas 1m 4f lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Mick Jazz (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, still travelling smoothly from 2 out, pushed along straight, slight mistake last and one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Supasundae (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
