Three miles in testing conditions is ideal for MOURAD, who was always travelling nicely when beating Powerstation in the Grade 2 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown with Oscar Dan Dan beaten almost 10 lengths. He looks capable of adding this to his tally before a crack at the World Hurdle. Luska Lad will be tackling this trip for the first time but showed no sign of stopping when just failing to concede Four Chimneys 24lb over 2m4f at Punchestown. He'd be a major threat if lasting the trip as would Jumbo Rio, another attempting the distance for the first time and closely matched with Oscar Dan Dan on their run at Navan in November.
Berties Dream (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent early, dropped to rear halfway, no threat from 3 out, 5th of 9, 33l behind Jessies Dream (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Jumbo Rio (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Settled in mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 4 out, good progress to challenge after 2 out, led travelling best early straight, 2 lengths advantage early run-in, ridden to hold on closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Dec beating On The Way Out (11-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Oscar Dan Dan (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outer, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 15th of 19, 30l behind Across The Bay (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Luska Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Led and attempted to make all, slight mistakes at 6th and 7th, driven along from 2 out, nodded slightly on landing at last, strongly pressed and kept on well under pressure run-in, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Four Chimneys (9-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Mourad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, close 7th travelling well approaching 2 out, smooth headway early straight, 2nd and poised to challenge before last, led early run-in and pushed out to assert, won at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) in Dec beating Powerstation (11-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Powerstation (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd until led at halfway, ridden and strongly pressed approaching last, headed early run-in, no chance with winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Mourad (11-6) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
Footy Facts (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Soon 2nd, 3rd halfway, 4th 3 out, improved to challenge after 2 out, led early straight, ridden and headed when mistake last, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 24, 5l behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
Moskova (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, trailing in 9th 3 out, some headway from next, moderate 7th before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 11l behind Mourad (11-6) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
