held up in rear, ridden before 2 out, under pressure entering straight, 3rd last, stayed on well run-in, pressed 2nd close home
chased leader in 2nd, pressed for 2nd from 5th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last
led, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed before last, narrowly headed last, no extra run-in, pressed for 2nd close home
settled 3rd early, slight mistake 2nd, closer and pressed 2nd from 5th, 2nd entering straight, ridden to challenge before last, narrow lead and slight mistake last, kept on best run-in, asserted closing stages
TOMBSTONE hasn't done as well as expected over hurdles and fences but has still managed to win seven times. He's returned to hurdling this season in very strong company and though beaten a long way in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time his close third behind Sharjah in the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle here in December would be good enough. His stable companion Count Simon has been beaten in novice company and has a mountain to climb on official figures as has Oscars Den though the latter has been in good form and deserved last month's victory in a Navan handicap. Three Stars is a useful chaser at his best and though he's won a Grade 3 over hurdles this will be his first start over the smaller obstacles for almost three years.
Count Simon (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, under pressure in 5th 3f out, stayed on into 2nd before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Denwork (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Jan.
Oscars Den (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway travelling well to lead 3 out and asserted before next, 4 lengths clear approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, reduced advantage closing stages, won at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Feb beating British Art (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Three Stars (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, slightly impeded in jumping early, reminder after 4th, under pressure from 7th, soon lost position and no danger, last of 14, dist behind Quamino (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Tombstone (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Raced in 2nd early, soon 4th, pushed along and edged right after 2nd, dropped to rear before 3rd, quickly behind, completely tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
