tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd halfway, led after 4 out, travelled strongly and in control from 2 out, kept on well run-in, unextended
led, headed 4th, ridden and dropped to rear after 4 out, no extra
settled in 5th, headway into 2nd entering straight, no impression on easy winner after 2 out, soon no extra under pressure and dropped to 4th approaching last
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 5th, 3rd 3 out, driven along and no impression on easy winner approaching last, kept on one pace
held up in rear, 5th 3 out, ridden to go 2nd before last, kept on under pressure but no chance with easy winner
tracked leader in 2nd, led 4th, headed after 4 out, driven along and dropped to 5th entering straight, no extra from 2 out
Hardy Eustace was beaten a short-head in this in 2004 before the first of his Champion Hurdle victories then won it a year later and went on to complete a famous Cheltenham double. Whether ZAIDPOUR heads for the hurdling classic or the World Hurdle is unclear though his latest success in the 3m Galmoy Hurdle on this track suggests the latter option will be taken. He should have little more than an exercise gallop with Prima Vista taken to chase him home. Noel Meade's charge won a Grade 2 last April and was only beaten a short-head by Spirit Of Adjisa in the Champion Novices' at Punchestown. He attracted plenty of support on his reappearance at Navan in December but eventually finished a long way behind Zaidpour over that 2m4f trip. He's much better than that and looks a better option than Kalann, who ran well behind The Real Article in a Grade 2 at Down Royal before being out of his depth in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Zaidpour (FR) 11-8 (11-10) Dictated from front at slow pace, slight mistake 5th, joined from 7 out, headed before 4 out, back in front with good jump next, travelling best 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Gowran Park 3m hdl G2 sft in Jan beating Voler La Vedette (11-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inner, 12th halfway, driven along approaching 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure from before last, 10th of 20, 6l behind Dul Ar An Ol (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs.
Prima Vista 9-2 (11-10) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, weakened before last, last of 4, 25l behind Zaidpour (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Darwins Fox (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden in 2nd from 2 out, led approaching last, kept on run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Abou Ben (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl hvy.
Kalann (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Always rear, ridden and no extra 2 out, weakened, last of 5, well behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Silas Mariner (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Never a factor, mistake 4 out, 16th of 20, 18l behind Dul Ar An Ol (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs.
