raced in 4th, moderate 3rd from 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression, ran on well without threatening run-in
raced in 3rd, 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged next, soon pushed along, under pressure and hit last, kept on without matching winner run-in, no extra close home
led, slight mistake 6th and joined, soon headed, dropped to 4th from 3 out and last approaching straight, no extra
raced in 2nd, on terms 6th, soon led, pressed 2 out, hit last, stayed on best run-in, asserted close home
in rear, behind and no danger from 5th, went moderate 4th approaching straight, jumped right 2 out, no extra
This should decide where JEZKI heads at Cheltenham. The 2014 champion hurdler and 2015 Punchestown World Hurdle winner overcame a long absence with a very smooth victory over this trip at Navan last month and though The Stayers Hurdle looks the more likely option a convincing victory here may tempt connections towards the Champion Hurdle. Tombstone ran very well to finish a close third in that Navan event when he was conceding 6lb so he's entitled to get closer but Rashaan, who followed an excellent Grade 2 victory over Apple's Jade at Down Royal with a recent victory on the Flat at Dundalk, is poorly treated by the race conditions. Rock On Rosie and Rory O'Moore are outclassed on all known form.
Rashaan (IRE) 2-1 (9-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd over 4f out, progress into 2nd 2f out, improved to dispute lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 2m pol in Feb beating Elishpour (9-4) by nk, 9 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Held up disputing 4th, improved into 3rd before 3 out, close 3rd next, pushed along to lead at last, went clear run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Navan 2m Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Renneti (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Prominent and disputed lead, not fluent 1st and 2nd, led 3rd and soon clear, 30 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage before 3 out, soon headed and dropped to 4th 2 out, weakened, 6th of 10, dist behind Moores Road (9-11) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Tombstone (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Jezki (11-6) at Navan 2m Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Rock On Rosie (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Towards rear, moderate 10th before straight, soon no extra, 14th of 16, dist behind Yaha Fizz (11-0) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
