chased leaders, mainly 3rd, mistake 6th, slight mistake 6 out and ridden next, no extra after 3 out
chased leader in 2nd, closer before 3 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to challenge after 2 out, led before last, kept on well closing stages
held up, 5th halfway, no impression after 3 out, ridden entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, no impression from after 3 out, kept on one pace straight
chased leaders early, slight mistake 6th and held up, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 6 out, mistake and ridden 3 out, no impression in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace
held up, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra 3 out
led, clear from 6th, reduced advantage before 3 out, ridden and challenged after 2 out, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
held up in last, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
ZAIDPOUR won this in 2012 and has been racing at the highest level since. He has a Grade 1 penalty to carry for his comfortable victory over subsequent easy winner Rule The World at Leopardstown but should prove too good for these. Mala Beach was almost eight lengths behind in that latter event and though 4lb better in it's hardly likely to enable him to reverse the form. His stablemate Un Beau Matin is consistent enough but his jumping still leaves plenty to be desired. He's fallen three times over hurdles though he did finish in front of Mazuri Cowboy and Bishopsfurze at Punchestown last time. Jetson has been well beaten on his three latest starts and last season's good form was on much quicker ground.
Zaidpour (FR) 5-4fav (11-10) Held up in 4th, slight mistake 8th, closer in 3rd 2 out, switched right before last and ridden to lead run-in, kept on well to assert closing stages, won at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec beating Rule The World (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Mala Beach (IRE) 7-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 1st, went 2nd 2 out and soon ridden, challenged approaching last where not fluent, hung left under pressure run-in and no impression in 3rd, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Zaidpour (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Aughnacurraveel (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, closer order from 6th, bad mistake 5 out, moderate 4th before 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace,, 4th of 7, 21l behind Foildubh (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Nov.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders early, 6th halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden in rear 3 out, kept on same pace from last, just held for 3rd, 4th of 7, 11l behind City Slicker (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl.
Jetson (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden after next and no extra approaching last, 10th of 21, 31l behind Courage (10-1) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Mazuri Cowboy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, 6th before 3 out, ridden in 4th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace to 3rd run-in, just held 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 11l behind City Slicker (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl.
Un Beau Matin (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Held up, 5th halfway, progress in 4th 3 out, ridden to dispute 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind City Slicker (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl.
Its Who You Are (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead 6f out and headed approaching straight, ridden in 5th 2f out and soon no extra, 6th of 16, 29l behind Beluckyagain (11-9) at Thurles 2m mares n h flat hvy.
