in touch, 4th at 4th, closed after 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, dropped to 3rd and ridden after 2 out, weakened in 4th before last, kept on one pace run-in to moderate 3rd
towards rear, not fluent in 5th at 4th, progress 2 out, ridden and no impression on leader in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
in touch, 3rd at 4th, closed before 3 out, led after 3 out, asserted before last where slight mistake, kept on well, eased closing stages, easily
led, soon headed, improved to lead at 4th, headed before 4 out, led narrowly before 3 out where mistake and headed, ridden in 3rd approaching straight, weakened quickly 2 out
soon pushed along to lead, reminder after 1st, increased lead before 2nd where jumped left, reduced lead at 3rd, headed at 4th, led before 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out
towards rear, 6th at 4th, no impression 2 out, no extra in moderate 5th last
rear, 7th at 4th, headway before 2 out, no impression in moderate 3rd before last, weakened to moderate 4th closing stages
Darasso won this in 2019 and finished runner-up a year later. He looked as good as ever on his reappearance in a Naas Grade 3 but was beaten three lengths by SALDIER at Tipperary in October. The latter, who previously won the Galway Hurdle, has found longer trips and Grade 1 company beyond him the last twice and can get back to winning ways. Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios was beaten 12 lengths by Teahupoo on his return to action at Naas but by only half-a-length by Gordon Elliott's charge in a Limerick Grade 2 when heavy going suited the winner. With the ground expected to turn very testing again, the places should be confirmed.
Quilixios 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, on terms entering straight, led before 2 out, pushed along to assert and 3 lengths clear when jumped big at last, soon ridden and strongly pressed, kept on well, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Teahupoo (11-10) at Limerick 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
Darasso (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, closer in 4th 3 out, improved to dispute lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden, led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Jan beating Saint Felicien (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Teahupoo (FR) 8-15fav (11-10) Led, joined entering straight, pushed along and headed before 2 out where not fluent, soon ridden and no impression, rallied to press leader run-in, kept on well to lead final 50 yards, won at Limerick 2m (1) hvy in Dec beating Quilixios (11-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Saldier (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Rear, hampered after 4th, bad mistake at 5th and pulled up, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Felix Desjy (FR) 22-1 (11-3) Led and clear, slight mistake and reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 11 1/2l behind Darasso (11-12) at Naas 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Jan.
Roi Mage (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Front rank, faded from 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Srelighonn (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 6f (1) hvy in Nov.
The Tide Turns 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along after 2 out, no impression from before last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Vauban (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
