tracked leader, slow 3rd, 4th halfway, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, 6th approaching straight and no extra before last
tracked leader, 2nd halfway and disputed lead 4 out, led 2 out, soon pushed along and headed early straight, slight mistake last, no impression on winner run-in
towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, some headway after next and 2nd briefly approaching straight, pushed along and no impression in 3rd before last where not fluent, no extra
held up in rear, headway into 5th after 2 out, pushed along and went 3rd early run-in, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along after 2 out, no impression from before last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, good headway travelling well on outer to lead early straight, asserted before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
led, joined 4 out, headed 2 out where slight mistake, soon no extra and dropped towards rear entering straight, weakened
rear of mid-division, dropped to rear after 3 out, pushed along and no impression in rear after 2 out, no threat in straight
always towards rear, pushed along and no impression in 7th after 2 out, no extra in straight
Vauban, a Listed winner on the Flat in France, started odds-on for his hurdling debut on heavy ground at Punchestown but couldn't quite get to grips with Pied Piper. The subsequent impressive victory of the winner at Cheltenham gave the form a massive boost and the winner's trainer takes Vauban on again with FIL DOR. A narrow winner over Lunar Power in a Fairyhouse Grade 3, he easily beat that rival in a Grade 2 here on St Stephen's Day and gets the nod. Icare Allen, a winning bumper in France, made an impressive hurdling debut here in December though takes a huge step-up in class as does The Tide Turns, a comfortable maiden winner at Punchestown.
Ben Siegel (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, went 2nd next, led on inner entering straight, went clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, eased close home, easily, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov beating Prairie Dancer (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 20 ran.
Fil Dor (FR) 4-9fav (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, on terms 2 out, led travelling well before last, pushed out and went clear run-in, readily, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Lunar Power (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Icare Allen (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway before 2 out and soon 2nd, travelled well and led last, ridden to assert run-in and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Privilege (11-2) by 3l, 18 ran.
Il Etait Temps (FR) 6-1 (10-1) Held up in mid-division, ridden and good headway from 2f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Il Est Divin (10-1) at Vichy 1m 4f hvy in May.
The Tide Turns 9-4fav (11-9) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, disputed lead 3 out and led after next, pushed along and asserted approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Jan beating Hms Seahorse (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 20 ran.
Vauban (FR) 4-9fav (11-2) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden entering straight, switched to inner and challenged before last, slight mistake last, under pressure in 2nd run-in, kept on well close home to press winner, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind Pied Piper (11-2) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Scenic Look (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up in touch on outer, 3rd halfway, on terms 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no impression in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Fil Dor (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Six Feet Apart (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Midfield, smooth progress to lead narrowly before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, all out, won at Doncaster 2m 1f lst fll (1) gd in Jan beating Sea Sessions (11-3) by shd, 6 ran.
Vadaly (FR) 10-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, headway to lead 3 out, hard ridden and stayed on after last, won at Dieppe 2m 1f sft in Aug beating Aurore Verte (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
