prominent, on terms 3 out, headed and kept on same pace from before last
held up in rear of mid-division, headway to challenge on outer straight, led from after last, pressed and stayed on well
held up, closer in 5th approaching straight, just behind leaders when appeared to clip heels and slipped up after 2 out
soon mid-division, in touch in rear approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leaders from next, no impression from before last, kept on
soon tracked leaders, close 6th approaching straight, ridden to challenge and lead before last where not fluent, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, challenged on outer straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
tracked leaders, on terms 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon headed and no extra from before last
chased leaders, 5th approaching 3 out, no impression when badly hampered and unseated rider after 2 out
led, headed 3 out, back on terms 2 out, headed from before last and soon no extra
held up in rear, 9th approaching 3 out, headway next, 2nd and kept on without getting to winner run-in
A moderate prize but a very interesting line-up. Age Of Glory has shown signs of temperament since his victory at Killarney but Ange Balafre has shown battling qualities to land a bumper and a maiden hurdle. Noah Webster is a maiden on the Flat but Aidan O'Brien had him spot-on for his debut over hurdles where he produced a fine run to beat an experienced field in very good style. He'll be difficult to beat but ARCTIC FIRE, an easy winner of his only start on the Flat in France, was very impressive on his debut for Willie Mullins at Tipperary and gets the nod. The Game Changer is promising and should win more races but Castle Guest could be even more interesting as he's won four of his last five on the level.
Age Of Glory 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, no extra approaching 3 out, pulled up straight, in a race won by Usa (11-1) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Jun, 17 ran.
Ange Balafre (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead entering straight, kept on well from last, won at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Long House Saint (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Arctic Fire (GER) 13-8fav (11-8) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 4 out, improved to challenge 2 out, soon led, clear before last, easily, won at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Enchanted Forest (11-4) by 6l, 20 ran.
Noah Webster (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd early straight and led between final 2, ridden to assert run-in and stayed on well, won at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Oct beating The Doorman (11-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
The Game Changer (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 5th, led before next, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, strongly pressed last and slight mistake, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft beating Daneking (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Castle Guest (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Soon led and made virtually all, pushed along to assert over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp sft beating Morga (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran (flat).
Kalaroa (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden from 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 6, 47l behind Vicky De L'oasis (10-7) at Wexford 2m 4f hdl in Oct.
Macnicholson (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) Tracked leaders and 6th halfway, headway to go 4th entering straight, soon ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 12l behind Storm Away (10-7) at Tipperary 2m 4yo nhf gf in Jun.
Ram Them All (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, ridden and trailing 4 out, no extra, 13th of 15, 32l behind Clonard Lad (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Tiger Trek (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th 6f out, ridden and no extra over 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Shaneshill (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo nhf.
