in touch towards rear, took keen hold, slight mistake 1st, closer in 4th and pushed along after 2 out, ridden in 4th and no impression on leaders entering straight, moderate 4th when mistake at last, no extra
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, ridden and dropped to rear after 3 out, weakened, tailed off
in touch in rear, headway into 5th when rider briefly dropped a rein after 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th at last, no impression
disputed lead, slight mistake 1st, pushed along briefly at 5th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
rear of mid-division, went 3rd travelling well 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd at last, kept on one pace
disputed lead, not fluent 4th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, weakened
tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake 5th and not fluent next, led travelling well 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders on inner, hampered 3 out and lost position, briefly in rear and switched to outer, 6th when not fluent 2 out and soon carried wide, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, ridden in 2nd at last, kept on without reaching winner inside final furlong
Ascending and hurdling newcomer Darraby take on the Willie Mullins battallions, the former having made a nice debut behind the champion trainer's Tekao here in December. Paul Townend has opted to ride LOSSIEMOUTH of the stable's six entries which is hardly surprising given the form she's shown to date. An easy winner at Auteuil in April, she's sauntered home in Grade 3 and 2 contests at Fairyhouse and here and is currently a short-priced favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. She had over seven lengths to spare over Gala Marceau in the Knight Frank Hurdle here on St Stephen's Day and the runner-up can chase her home again, though Gust Of Wind is an intriguing entry having won at Auteuil in September.
Ascending (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th after 3 out, pushed along early straight and went 2nd at last, ridden and kept on well run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Tekao (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Darraby 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 4f out, 16th of 23, 21 3/4l behind Joupe (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Gust Of Wind (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in Sep beating Jit Langy (10-10) by 3l, 12 ran.
Jourdefete (FR) 50-1 (10-13) Held up early, mid-division halfway, edged left after 2 out, ridden and no extra after last, 10th of 11, dist behind Lossiemouth (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Tekao (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, headway to dispute lead entering straight, led narrowly before last, pushed out and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Ascending (11-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Cinsa (FR) (10-7) 4th of 13, 12l behind Lossiemouth (10-7) at Auteuil 1m 7f hvy in Apr.
Gala Marceau (FR) 3-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders early and ran freely, 6th halfway, switched right approaching 2 out, bumped after 2 out, closer in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 7 1/2l behind Lossiemouth (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Lossiemouth (FR) 4-5fav (10-9) Tracked leader, close up and mistake 4th, disputed before last, led last, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Gala Marceau (10-6) by 7 1/2l, 11 ran.
